Bret Michaels Suspends Reality Show After Crash 10/1/08

Poison star Bret Michaels has suspended filming on his reality TV show after a driver employed by the program was caught up in a fatal road crash drama.

Dennis Hernandez was driving a truck full of equipment for Michael's Rock of Love Bus series through West Frankfort, Illinois, on Friday (26Sep08) when he allegedly fell asleep at the wheel and lost control of the vehicle.

The lorry smashed into a sports utility vehicle (SUV) and pick-up truck, leaving two women dead and two other people seriously injured.

Michaels has now requested that filming on the program be halted out of respect for the victims of the crash.

A statement from U.S. TV channel VH1 reads, "A crew member from the 51 Minds Entertainment production of the upcoming Rock Of Love Bus series on VH1 was involved in an auto accident. The crew member survived and has been released from the hospital.

"Bret Michaels has requested that his participation in the production of the series be temporarily suspended in deepest sympathy as he attempts to reach out to the families of the victims. Travelling separately, Mr. Michaels had left Illinois early Friday morning and was not near the scene of the accident."

Michaels has also paid tribute to the victims. He adds, "As a father of two, I cannot even imagine what the families must be going through at this time. I will make every attempt to reach out to them to let them know that my heart and prayers are with them during their time of grief."