Deftones bassist Chi Cheng in coma after car crash

Deftones bassist Chi Cheng is in a coma after what has been described as a "terrible" car crash Monday (3 November) in Santa Clara, California.

Frontman Chino Moreno confirmed Cheng's condition but declined to give further details.

"I don't know everything that's going on - I just know it's very serious," Moreno told the Sacramento Bee. The singer was on his way to a San Jose hospital to be with Cheng's family.

The accident was confirmed by Warner Bros. Records, who said Cheng was in "serious but stable condition" but did not provide specifics.

Moreno blogs about Cheng

"It deeply saddens me to inform you all that our brother Chi Cheng was involved in a terrible car accident last night," Moreno wrote on the Deftones' blog. "He is currently in a northern California hospital in a serious, but stable condition.

"I am on my way up north right now to be by his side along with the rest of our bandmates and family. Chi is one of the strongest people I know, and I'm praying that his strength will get him through this. Please say a prayer for him as well."

Band finishing new album

Cheng, 38, has been in the studio with Deftones working on the band's next studio album, Eros, which is due in 2009. The Deftones' most recent live show was in mid-September in Peoria, Arizona.