Deftones bassist injured in crash

Chi Cheng has been with the Deftones since 1988

Chi Cheng, bass player with US rock band the Deftones, has been seriously injured in a car accident.

Lead singer Chino Moreno wrote on the band's website that Cheng, 38, was in a "serious but stable" condition following the crash in California.

"I'm praying that his strength will get him through this," said the musician, who added the band were at his bedside.

The Deftones were formed 20 years ago and won a Grammy Award in 2000 for the song Elite from their White Pony album.

The band released their debut album, Adrenaline, on Madonna's Maverick Records label in 1995.

Coma

Moreno declined to give any further details about his bandmate's injuries.

But Billboard's website reported that Cheng is in a coma following the smash in the Santa Clara area of San Jose, quoting the Sacramento Bee newspaper.

The Deftones have been working on their sixth studio album, Eros, which has been scheduled for release in April.

Their most recent live show took place in Arizona in September.

The band's biggest UK chart success was their 2003 self-titled album, which peaked at number seven.