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Mitch Ryder Car Accident: 'Devil With a Blue Dress On' Singer Hit by Drunk Driver

Mitch RyderJason Engstrom

Detroit rock legend Mitch Ryder had a close call over the weekend when he and his wife Megan survived a head-on collision with a suspected drunk driver.

The Detroit News reports Ryder, 67, was returning to his South Lyon home from a concert he played at Callahan's Music Hall in Auburn Hills when the accident took place around midnight.

"We were about a mile and a half from home," said Ryder. "... Detroit nearly lost one of its icons. It was pretty scary."

Ryder told the publication he was driving his Buick Enclave when a pickup truck coming the other direction swerved into Ryder's lane, causing Ryder to veer quickly towards the shoulder of the road. The truck still ran into the driver's side of Ryder's vehicle. Fortunately, the air bags deployed. Ryder's wife was treated for minor injuries and was hospitalized until Sunday evening for observation. A third passenger in Ryder's car was unharmed.

"I saw the headlights going for us and I had a split second to either drive towards oncoming traffic or towards the ditch," he said.

The Oakland County Sherriff's Office said the 21-year-old male truck driver -- who said he bent over to switch the radio dial -- failed road sobriety tests.

Despite the accident Ryder played at a friend's birthday party the following day.

Ryder -- best known for his work with the Detroit Wheels in the '60s and songs such as "Devil With a Blue Dress On" and "Jenny Take a Ride!" -- released his last studio album in 2012 entitled, the Promise.

Watch Mitch Ryder's "Devil With a Blue Dress On" Video



Download Mitch Ryder Songs | Buy Mitch Ryder Albums

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14 Comments

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oldmercsue

Hey Zoseph, Jack Hammer is correct. Detroit almost lost an icon is in quotes. That means Mitch said it. You are the one that needs to learn to read.

Wednesday at 11:29 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
sammorreale6

Keep on rockin' Mitch! It's just too bad that he broke it off with the Detroit Wheels! They were the BOMB back in the day!

Wednesday at 9:00 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
The Canoli King

Thank God he was driving with some Detroit Wheels. You got to love this guy's voice,he still sound's great,and he's coming up on his 68 birthday 02/26,so glad him and his wife are going to be O.K.

Wednesday at 5:44 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
brennemanbelkin

What a voice this guy had (Has?)
Glad everyone is OK.

Wednesday at 12:30 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
nonucantmakemee

when a drunk driver hits and hurts a member of my family they better give their heart to God because their a$$ is mine theyt will not be able to hide

Wednesday at 12:05 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Tom

Half of all traffic accidents involve drinkers. Half of all traffic accidents involve non-drinkers. So where is the organization, "Mothers Against Non-Drinking Drivers?" Why aren't people pulled over and ticketed for having no blood alcohol content?

Tuesday at 5:08 PM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Tom's comment
Lonamari

Sorry but you have to be kidding. Seriously? It's not illegal to drive sober, it is however, it is illegal to drive drunk. If you were ever hit by a drunk driver you'd get it. I was. I was eleven years old and a drunk driver hit out parked car. We were parked at the curb. We were hit from behind,. He knocked our car 15 feet and took off. So it was also a hit and run and yes he was stinking drunk. The police found him drunk, and parked on a side street 3 blocks down. You can't fix stupid. Now, you know there are AA meetings everywhere, and you might want to take advantage of that. It would probably make your friends and family really happy.

Wednesday at 11:26 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
dld2900

Used to drum to this song in the late 60's.....wore me out! Great drummer in the video.

Tuesday at 5:02 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to dld2900's comment
BROKEN6STRING

The original guitar player,Jim Mcarty was also great. They were all great !!!

Tuesday at 6:28 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
dmarrs7077

they should have drug the drunk driver out and broke both arms and legs, that would keep him/ her from driving for a few months

Tuesday at 5:00 PM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
Jack Hammer

He refers to himself as an "icon?"

Tuesday at 4:59 PM Report abuse +3 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Jack Hammer's comment
zoseph

You should learn to read. That appears to be the reporter's comment.

Wednesday at 2:20 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
DSTURPOCHE

So glad to hear they're OK. Love your music, Mitch!

Tuesday at 4:28 PM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply