Shocking Twist on 'Grey's Anatomy'

— -- WARNING: This article contains spoilers about Thursday’s episode of “Grey’s Anatomy,” titled “How to Save a Life.”

Fans of “Grey’s Anatomy” were dealt a shocking twist on Thursday’s episode: the death of Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey), one of the show’s central characters.

After “McDreamy” stopped to help people injured in a crash, his own car was blindsided, and he later died at the hospital after his injuries were not properly diagnosed.

The character was married to Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) and they had two children together.

Series creator Shonda Rhimes wrote the episode, and she released a statement about the major twist.

"Derek Shepherd is and will always be an incredibly important character – for Meredith, for me and for the fans,” Rhimes said in the statement. “I absolutely never imagined saying goodbye to our ‘Mcdreamy.’ Patrick Dempsey's performance shaped Derek in a way that I know we both hope became a meaningful example – happy, sad, romantic, painful and always true – of what young women should demand from modern love. His loss will be felt by all.”

The death of Shepherd allows Dempsey the chance “to pursue other interests,” ABC said in a statement.

Dempsey, speaking to Entertainment Weekly, said he wasn’t too surprised by his character’s fate.

“It was just a natural progression with the way the story was unfolding. It was like, OK! This was obviously the right time,” he said.

“Grey’s Anatomy” is in its 11th season and airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.