Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said Newton and the driver of the other vehicle were both taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
"Cam Newton is in fair condition and undergoing tests at Carolinas Medical Center and will remain there overnight for observation," the Panthers said in a statement released around 2:30 p.m.
Just before 3:30 p.m. officials delivered the news that Cam had suffered two transverse fractures in his lower back. A transverse fracture consists of a bone being broken perpendicular to the direction the bone runs.
Another car with damage to its front was loaded onto a flatbed tow truck, and a pickup truck reportedly belonging to the quarterback was seen on its side surrounded by debris.
The driver of the second vehicle is expected to be okay, according to police. No word on what led to the accident.
Newton, 25, was the No. 1 overall pick of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Panthers. In his first year, he became the only rookie quarterback to throw for 4,000 yards in a season and the first to rush for more than 700.
His best season with Carolina came in 2013, when he led the team to a 12-4 record and a first round bye in the playoffs. He has started every game since becoming the Panthers' QB, compiling a record of 29-31-1.
In 2010, the Atlanta native led the Auburn Tigers to a 14-0 record in his lone season with the team. The year culminated in Auburn defeating Oregon 22-19 to win the BCS Championship. He also led Blinn College to the junior college national championship in 2009.
A truck reportedly belonging to Cam Newton was seen flipped on its side at the scene. (Source: WBTV SKY 3)
First responders load Cam Newton onto a stretcher and into an ambulance. (Source: WBTV SKY 3)
Emergency officials said Newton was taken to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Newton is listed in fair condition, and is undergoing tests at CMC, according to the Panthers; he will stay at CMC overnight for observation.
In a press conference late Tuesday afternoon, a Panthers spokesperson said Newton suffered two lower transverse process fractures in his lower back, a similar injury that Dallas Cowboy's quarterback Tony Romo has been playing with this season. Further, Newton suffered no internal injuries in the crash.
If Newton is ruled unable to play, veteran Derek Anderson would be expected to take over as Carolina's starting quarterback. Anderson led the Panthers to a 20-14 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1 while Newton sat out with fractured ribs.
The Panthers play the Bucs this Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
Watch Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dC1HU5F8-9g
Related Links: http://www.wbtv.com/story/27585580/carolina-panthers-quarterback-cam-newton-taken-to-hospital-after-car-crash
http://www.wcnc.com/story/news/2014/12/09/cam-newton-involved-in-uptown-wreck/20142873/
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/12004613/cam-newton-carolina-panthers-involved-car-accident
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