New Kids On The Block singer Donnie Wahlberg came close to death last week (beg24Nov08) after losing control of his car on a highway.

The star was driving from San Diego to Los Angeles on Wednesday (26Nov08) night following one of the band's gigs. And Wahlberg was so exhausted after the event, he fell asleep at the wheel and came within inches of smashing his vehicle into the central reservation in the middle of the road.

He says, "I nearly crashed my car after the gig. I was driving from San Diego to L.A. and I'd been on the road for three hours. I was so tired that my eyes kept closing. Then I fell asleep and it was raining."

Wahlberg admits he is lucky to have escaped uninjured, but the experience has left him extremely shaken. He adds, "I was like, 'Whoa!' And I've been quiet ever since. I'm so tired." (LR/WNTST/CL)

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