Singer-songwriter Norman Greenbaum remains in critical condition after crash

The family of 1960s songwriter Norman Greenbaum said Wednesday the 72-year-old Sonoma County resident remains in critical condition as the result of a weekend crash that killed a Santa Rosa man riding a motorcycle and injured a passenger.

In a short statement, the family said doctors and nurses at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital are “doing everything possible, and we continue to hope for a strong recovery.”

“Please keep Norman in your thoughts and prayers,” said the statement, released by the hospital.

The family offered no further details about his injuries.

“We are humbled by the tremendous outpouring of support we and Norman have received,” the family said.

Greenbaum, who wrote the 1969 hit, “Spirit in the Sky,” was a passenger in a car Saturday on Occidental Road that was hit by the motorcycle when the car’s driver turned onto Piezzi Road.

Ihab Halaweh, 20, who was riding a Suzuki motorcycle, was killed after slamming into the side of the car. His passenger, Nhmia Kahsay, also 20 of Santa Rosa, suffered serious injuries and remains hospitalized. A private funeral for Halaweh was scheduled for Wednesday night.

The driver of the Subaru Outback in which Greenbaum was riding, Bonita Perea, 62, was not hurt.

You can reach Staff Writer Paul Payne at 568-5312 or paul.payne@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @ppayne.