Morgan's "Friend" -- He Was Drinking Before Crash

The woman who was injured in a car crash with Morgan Freeman last year claims the actor was boozing all over town before he got behind the wheel.

According to a lawsuit filed today in Mississippi federal court, Demaris Meyer claims on the night of the crash, she first met up with Freeman at dinner -- where she noticed "throughout the course of dinner and afterward drinks were consumed by Freeman."

Meyer then says she left dinner and met up with Freeman and others at a friend's home. She claims Freeman "had at least one more drink" while there. She claims Freeman then invited her to stay at his home for the night -- guaranteeing her not only her own bedroom, but her "own house." She says she agreed.

Meyer claims at around 11:30 PM, while Freeman drove her to his home, Morgan lost control of the car and "ran off of the right side of the highway." Meyer says she suffered a broken left wrist and right scapula, a torn labrum in her right shoulder and numerous bruises and lacerations.

At a press conference today, Meyer said she and Freeman were "just friends" -- despite widespread rumors that she was his mistress.

Meyer is suing for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, permanent disability (short term memory loss) and additional damages.