After a fatal accident in Illinois that killed two people, Bret Michaels has asked VH1 to temporally suspend the upcoming third edition of the network's Rock of Love reality dating series called Rock of Love Bus.

A crew member from the 51 Minds Entertainment production of the Rock of Love Bus series, who was not named in VH1 or Michaels' statement, was involved in a car accident on Interstate 57 in southern Illinois last Friday afternoon.  The tragedy resulted in two fatalities.  In one car, two 19-year-old female passengers were killed, and in the second car, an older couple suffered serious injuries.

Rock of Love Bus follows Bret Michaels as he tries to find love yet again after failed relationships with season 2 winner Ambre Lake and first season pick Jes Rickleff.  This time, he'll be taking the contestants out of the mansion and on the road “in true rock star style.”  As the rock star bachelor goes on a month-long tour, hopefuls vying for his heart will follow him across America while facing new challenges to determine if they can handle the rock and roll life style.

The crew member, who is not an associate of Bret Michaels or part of his tour staff, was identified by The Chicago Tribune as Dennis D. Hernandez.  He was reported to be driving to the reality show's next filming location when he allegedly fell asleep at the wheel and caused the traffic accident.  He survived the tragedy and is now cited for driving with a suspended license and several other traffic offenses, according to Illinois state police.

Subsequently, Michaels, who had left early Friday morning and was not near the scene of the accident, has requested his participation in the production of Rock of Love be temporarily suspended in deepest sympathy as he tries to reach out to the victims' families.

“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,” the Rock of Love star said in a statement.


-Kris De Leon, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: VH1, Chicago Tribune
(Image courtesy of VH1)