Creed Singer Lashes Out at MTV

ByABC News
May 3, 2002, 3:53 PM

May 3 -- Creed front man Scott Stapp says MTV's recent stories questioning the injuries he suffered in an auto accident last month show the network's "lack of humanity" and "lack of media integrity."

In an exclusive interview with ABC Radio's ePrep, Stapp said he was upset with MTV for implying that he hadn't really been injured in the April 19 accident, and suggesting the band used the crash as an excuse to cancel the second leg of its North American tour.

"For them to throw a spin and try to create some kinda controversy just so shows the lack of humanity, the lack of, of media integrity, to find out both sides of the story," he said.

Creed's lead singer said he believed the cable network was out to get the rock band.

"I think that was deliberately wrong on their part. It showed malice in their heart toward the band and toward me, which they've shown from day one unless they want something from us," he said.

MTV declined comment. The network was one of several media outlets that reported on questions surrounding Stapp's injuries.

In Shock and on an Adrenaline High

Stapp said he was on his way to a video shoot when the accident happened in Orlando, Fla. Traffic was stop-and-go, but sometimes approached speeds of 55 mph. He said he braked suddenly when the cars in front of him stopped without warning, and his car was hit from behind by another motorist.

"I'd just forgotten to put my seat belt on and it [the impact of the crash] threw me into my steering wheel and my head hit the windshield," he said.

"I was shaking, um, you know, my adrenaline was flowing, I, I, I was kinda in shock. Um, I didn't know what to do so I sat there and tried to compose myself," he said.

He said he got out of his car and went to see if the people in the vehicle behind him were OK. "I checked on them, they were OK. Uh, my adrenaline was flowing and I, I pushed their car to the side of the road with them inside of it," he said.

I Just Wanna Go Home

Stapp said MTV had cited the police accident report, which said there were "no injuries noted" at the time of the crash. He said he was in too much shock to realize he was hurt.