Joaquin Phoenix, star of this year’s Oscar frontrunner Walk The Line, narrowly escaped injury in a serious car accident on Thursday.

Phoenix was driving his car on a winding canyon road in Los Angeles when his brakes stopped working, reported a police spokeswoman. The car overturned and collided with another vehicle.

However, the actor was able to walk away from the accident relatively unscathed, said his publicist, Susan Patricola.

“His brakes went out, and the car flipped over,” she stated Thursday. “But he’s doing fine. He may be very sore in the morning, but right now he is doing okay.”

Patricola added that Phoenix was wearing a seatbelt and a passerby helped him out of the car following the collision.

The driver of the other car, with whom Phoenix exchanged insurance information on the scene, was also unhurt.

Patricola ensured that Phoenix will be able to make his scheduled appearance at the Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday. He is up for Best Actor at the annual awards ceremony for his portrayal of singer Johnny Cash in the biopic Walk The Line. Phoenix has already picked up a Golden Globe for the role earlier this month and is a heavy favourite to win again at the upcoming Academy Awards in March. Oscar nominees are to be announced this Tuesday.


Related Stories: