TMZ has learned that Academy Award winning actor Morgan Freeman, 71, has been injured in a serious car accident in Mississippi.

Cops tell us the “Dark Knight” star was in a one car accident around 11:30 PM last night north of the small town of Ruleville. He was airlifted from the accident scene to a hospital in Memphis, Tenn. We’re told alcohol is not suspected as a factor in the wreck, news of which was first reported by MediaTakeout.

A spokesperson at the Regional Medical Center in Memphis told us Morgan Freeman’s condition is “serious” after he was injured in a car accident last night.

The condition of an unidentified woman in the car with the actor is still not known.

TMZ

UPDATE:  Was Morgan asleep at the wheel?

Morgan Freeman may have fallen asleep at the wheel last night right before his bad car wreck.

The actor was driving on Highway 32 in Tallahatchie County when he apparently lost control, flipping his car several times.

WHBQ in Memphis is reporting Freeman was on his way home to Charleston when the smash-up happened. Bill Luckett, Freeman’s friend and co-owner of Freeman’s restaurant Madidi, said his buddy was sitting up and talking at the hospital.

One source tells TMZ that Freeman has broken several ribs and injured his knee. His female passenger, we’re told, had to be cut out of the car using the Jaws of Life. A source says she’s suffering from bumps and bruises, but is in “all in all in good condition.”