Morgan Freeman is getting a divorce from his wife, it was announced last night.

Three days after his horrific car crash, the 71-year-old actor has made it known that he is splitting from wife of 24 years, Myrna Colley-Lee.

Freeman's business partner and lawyer, Bill Luckett, told TV show Access Hollywood that the couple is "involved in a divorce action".

He added: "For legal and practical purposes, they have been separated since December of 2007."

The actor was involved in a car crash in Mississippi on Monday night, when the car he was driving flipped several times before landing in a ditch. Freeman was driving a Nissan Maxima that belonged to his passenger Demaris Meyer, who has since been described as 'a friend'.

Meyer, who works for delivery service FedEx, left the accident scene without any serious injuries. Freeman, however, suffered several broken bones and nerve damage.

Freeman's spokesperson, Donna Lee, said: "Morgan is doing well after his surgery to reconnect nerves and repair damage in his left arm and hand.

"He's up and walking around and looking forward to his release in a few days."