( CNN ) You 'll see him in your McDreams . On Thursday night 's `` Grey 's Anatomy , '' Dr. Derek Shepherd -- the hunky character played by Patrick Dempsey -- died . He was n't shot down over the Sea of Japan , nor did a helicopter fall on his head . Instead , he died following a car crash -- after helping victims of another accident . `` Derek Shepherd is and will always be an incredibly important character -- for Meredith ( Grey ) , for me and for the fans , '' show creator Shonda Rhimes said in a statement , according to The Hollywood Reporter . `` 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 . '' Intriguingly , Dempsey still has a year left on his contract . His character 's death leaves his TV wife , Dr. Meredith Grey ( Ellen Pompeo ) , as the show 's mainstay as it concludes its 11th season in May . `` It 's been a remarkable ride , '' Dempsey told TVLine . `` The worldwide impact has been extraordinary . It is incredible how devoted and passionate the fans are , and I will forever be grateful and humbled by the experience . '' `` Grey 's '' fans are still in shock . People magazine ran an obituary for the character . # McDreamyForever was a trending hashtag on Twitter . Tweets from `` Grey 's Anatomy 's '' official account were filled with emoji of crying faces and broken hearts , as well as tearful images from the show . Some chose to remember the good times , but for others , there was a big sense of betrayal . But the show will very much continue -- not only does it have a few weeks before the 11th season is over , Pompeo is also signed through season 12 . The theme of this season , Rhimes had said , was Grey 's ability to stand on her own . Now without her husband -- who was already devoting his life to separate concerns as a presidential aide -- she 'll truly have to do so . `` Grey 's Anatomy , '' though not the powerhouse it was when it premiered in 2005 , still does well in the ratings . For the week ending April 19 , the most recent available , it was 20th in overall viewers and 12th among the desirable adults 18-49 demographic . And Dempsey , who also races cars , is n't going anywhere . He has a development deal with ABC Studios , `` Grey 's '' producers .
`` Grey 's Anatomy '' is in its 11th season . The show has been a ratings juggernaut for the past few years, and it seems like every week there are new developments that make this series even more popular than ever before.