Gene Simmons hospitalized after Malibu SUV crash, fainted

Gene Simmons, the 76-year-old bassist and co-founder of KISS, was briefly hospitalized after his SUV crashed into a parked car on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu just before 1 p.m. on Tuesday, authorities and family members said. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said Simmons told deputies he had passed out or fainted before his Lincoln Navigator veered across several lanes of traffic and struck the parked vehicle.

Deputies and firefighters responded after a witness called 911. Officials said Simmons was conscious and speaking with first responders at the scene and was transported to a hospital for evaluation. A spokesperson for the Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station later confirmed that an incident matching that description occurred in the 25000 block of Pacific Coast Highway but did not identify the driver.

Simmons’s wife, Shannon Tweed, said he is now recovering at home. She told authorities that doctors had recently changed his medication and that he had been advised to drink more water. Simmons left a voicemail for investigators stating, "I'm fine," according to family comments relayed to authorities.

The incident comes weeks before KISS is scheduled to perform together...