Home : R.I.P. : "Rock of Love" Roadie Involved in Deadly Crash

R.I.P.
"Rock of Love" Roadie Involved in Deadly Crash

Posted Sep 28th 2008 3:00PM by TMZ Staff

A truck driver hauling a load of sound equipment for VH1's "Rock of Love Bus with Bret Michaels' caused a crash that killed two people and seriously injured two more.

According to the Illinois State Police, Dennis D. Hernandez fell asleep at the wheel on Friday while on Interstate 57 in West Frankfort, Ill. His truck crossed the median and struck two vehicles. In one car, two 19-year-old female passengers were killed -- and in the second car, an older couple suffered major injuries and were airlifted to the Barnes-Jewish Hospital.

Cops told StlToday Dennis' truck was a part of Michaels "Rock of Love" fleet.

Two tour buses for "Rock" -- which Michaels' website said were heading to Texas -- stopped at the crash scene. Hernandez -- who sustained minor injuries -- was charged with driving with a suspended license and four other traffic violations.

Calls to VH1 and Bret's people have not been returned.

Tags: brett michaels, BrettMichaels

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1. driving with a suspended license? what? can't find a truck driver with a good license for a tv show?

Posted at 6:27PM on Sep 28th 2008 by bobbyozone

2. Why was he driving w/ a suspended license??

Posted at 7:08PM on Sep 28th 2008 by hippiechick

3. wow this is so sad. my prayers go out to the families of everyone involved.

Posted at 7:15PM on Sep 28th 2008 by Annette85

4. You see, participating in fake azz, scripted, idiot plots, that produces fame whores causes a real reality - death!

Posted at 7:53PM on Sep 28th 2008 by CriticXtreme::

5. These shows have done nothing but dumb-down America. The idiots, retards and fame whores used to be deep in the background. Now they're out in the forefront. Add George W. Bush in the mix and you have a nation of "retardidiots".

Posted at 7:59PM on Sep 28th 2008 by CriticXtreme::

6. I'm so sick of this douche. He's so ugly and so rotten to the core. Your music is old and no one wants to hear it anymore. You look tired and have big bags under your eyes and when you don't you look like a girl. get the f off my tv and computer!

Posted at 3:33AM on Sep 29th 2008 by Brat Michaels is a Hasbeen with no new music

7. Unfortunately, had this trash filled train wreck of a show never aired, these beautiful young ladies with a promising future would probably still be with us. I guess I'm partly responsible for having watched the show.

Peace and love to the families involved.

Posted at 8:51PM on Sep 28th 2008 by Aeroshine

8. WE WHO WORK IN REALITY TV ARE NOT SURPRISED IN THE LEAST THAT THIS HORRIBLE TRAGEDY HAPPENED. PEOPLE WHO WORK IN THE FIELD ON REALITY SHOWS OFTEN HAVE TO WORK 80-100 HOUR WEEKS, WITH NO OVERTIME PAY. I HAVE HAD TO WORK AS MANY AS 3 DAY STRAIGHT WITH NO SLEEP AND NOT BEING ALLOWED TO LEAVE.

WHEN WILL THE PRODUCER'S GUILD GET OFF THEIR A$$E$ AND DO SOMETHING? THE WGA FIGHT IS USELESS, AS IT ONLY COVERS POST AND STORY PRODUCERS. FIELD IS WHERE THE OVERTIME ABUSES REALLY OCCUR.

SOMEONE PLEASE LISTEN... REALITY PRODUCTION COMPANIES FORCE WEEKLY EMPLOYEES, LIKE PRODUCERS AND PA'S, TO WORK UNSAFE HOURS AND IN DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS.

I HOPE 51 MINDS GETS SUED TO ALL HELL.

Posted at 8:57PM on Sep 28th 2008 by anonymouse

9. Bret Michaels seems like a nice enough guy but that doesnt excuse him for hiring a truck driver without a damn license !! What the hell is the matter with Bret !! Wake up & smell the coffee & i bet hes not even with Ambre anymore, so that was a waste of time !!!! Im sorry for all those families who lost their loved ones.

Posted at 9:16PM on Sep 28th 2008 by Andrea

10. I'm sure Brett had nothing to do with the hring of this driver....get off his back.....Hope the families sue the crap outta those responsible.

Posted at 9:36PM on Sep 28th 2008 by tmzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

11. This wreck led to a second wreck a few hours later which killed a 3rd person..and injured 16 in total. I was driving home from work when I came up on the wreck. Very sad. The two girls were students at the local college SIU. For the full story visit... http://www.wsiltv.com/p/news_details.php?newsID=5663&type=top

Posted at 9:59PM on Sep 28th 2008 by Mika from Illinois

12. # 4 and 5 &$^%# you two... Its morons like you two why america sucks today... as of now I'm putting a HOODOO/VOODOO cruse on you... see what you look like after 30 yrs living with DIABETES... as for the Driver Its not Bret Michaels fault about the status of his license.. you will start gaining weight, bladder infection, blurred vision. Then hopful you develop extremely elevated glucose levels that will lead to lethargy and coma. then you DIE punk!

Posted at 10:31PM on Sep 28th 2008 by bambam

13. I agree.. how do your produce a TV show and not check to see if the drivers you hire actually have a valid license???

Posted at 10:30PM on Sep 28th 2008 by Hello Kitty

14. I was close enough to see this accident happen. It was insane. He plowed through the median and didnt wake up until after the fact. Those two SIU students deserved so much more that the horrible ending they received. There was nothing left of the car. So sad.

Posted at 10:06AM on Sep 29th 2008 by I saw it with my own eyes

15. # 7 anonymouse

this is not the 1st time i've heard of unsafe practices in the industry...maybe hitting them (reality production companies) in the pocket book will FORCE some changes...it's tragic that 2 young girl had to pay with their lives...

Posted at 11:48AM on Sep 29th 2008 by northern gyspy

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