'Spirit In The Sky' Singer Norman Greenbaum Critically Injured In Santa Rosa Crash That Killed Motorcyclist
SANTA ROSA (CBS SF) -- Singer and songwriter Norman Greenbaum was injured in a crash that killed a motorcyclist in Santa Rosa Saturday.
The Sonoma County coroner's office Sunday identified a motorcyclist who was killed in a collision with a car just outside of Santa Rosa Saturday afternoon.
Ihab Usama Halaweh, 20, of Santa Rosa, was heading west on Occidental Road when he collided with a woman driving a white 2002 Subaru Outback that was turning left onto Piezzi Road around 3:20 p.m., CHP officials said.
The 62-year-old woman did not see the approaching 2004 Suzuki GSX-R600 and was unable to stop her vehicle in time, according to the CHP.
The motorcycle collided head-on into the right side of the Subaru and CHP officials said Halaweh was pronounced dead at the scene.
A passenger on the motorcycle, a 20-year-old Sonoma County resident, suffered critical injuries and was transported to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, CHP officials said.
Greenbaum, writer of the 1960's hit "Spirit in the Sky" was sitting in the front passenger seat in the Subaru, and suffered critical injuries. He was transported to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, according to the CHP.
CHP Officer Marcus Hawkins said that as of around noon today, both critically injured patients were still alive.
The roadway was closed until shortly before 6:30 p.m. while officers gathered evidence and documented the collision, CHP officials said.