The singer-songwriter behind the rock anthem Spirit in the Sky is in critical condition in a California hospital after a car accident that left a motorcyclist dead . Norman Greenbaum , 72 , was the passenger of a Subaru Outback driving near the city of Santa Rosa on Saturday around 3.30pm . A motorcycle crashed into the Outback at an intersection after the driver , Bonita Perea , 63 , failed to yield to the motorcycle when turning . Scroll down for video . Greenbaum , 72 , was in a Subaru Outback on Saturday during a deadly accident in Santa Rosa , California . The woman driving the Outback failed to yield at an intersection and a motorcycle slammed into the vehicle . Ihab Usama Halaweh , 20 , crashed into the sedan after he was unable to stop his 2004 Suzuki GSX-R600 , and died at the scene , the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat reported . California Highway Patrol Officer Matt Pinheiro said : 'There 's no stop [ at the intersection ] , but the Subaru driver was supposed to yield to oncoming traffic and they did n't . ' His passenger , Nhmia Mekonnen Kahsay , 20 , was seriously injured . Kahsay and Greenbaum were both brought to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital and were listed in critical condition on Sunday afternoon . The hospital is not releasing any further updates about the musician 's condition and said his family has requested privacy . Greeenbaum 's hit song sold two million singles for Warner Brother in 1969 and 1970 . The tune , which has an iconic opening guitar riff , has been featured in almost 50 films like Apollo 13 and in ads for Gatorade , Nike and American Express . It was also included in Rock Band 2 . Greenbaum , who was born in Malden , Massachusetts , said he based the song 's spiritual lyrics on Western films . Global one hit wonder : Rocker Norman Greenbaum , who is best known for his hit song Spirit in the Sky , is listed in critical condition . He said : 'These mean and nasty varmints get shot and they wanted to die with their boots on . 'So to me that was spiritual , they wanted to die with their boots on . ' Hospital spokeswoman Vanessa DeGier said Kahsay was being treated in the intensive care unit and that his vital signs were unstable . She said : 'Critical condition means the patient may also be unconscious . 'Indicators are unfavorable at the moment . ' Perea was not injured during the accident , but she was upset after the crash . Santa Rosa Fire Battalion Chief Jack Piccinini said : 'She 's very shaken by the whole incident . ' Investigators do not believe that alcohol or drugs were factors in the accident . The investigation into the crash could take weeks . It is unclear how fast the motorcycle was going at the time of the accident .
California Highway Patrol , 72 , was the passenger of a Subaru Outback on Saturday . Police said sedan 's driver did n't yield at intersection and motorcycle hit it . Ihab Usama Halaweh , 20 , died at the scene after crashing his 2004 Suzuki . His passenger , Nhmia Mekonnen Kahsay , 20 , was seriously injured . Outback driver Bonita Perea , 63 , was shaken up but was not badly hurt .