Details of a late night car crash involving Eminem made their way to national media outlets. The story, which began circualting in early-December, claimed the surly rapper was driving a rented Saturn coupe to a late-night party when he lost control. The falsified account described the incident in gory detail: "...Mathers, who authorities believe was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, was behind the wheel of a Saturn coupe that witnesses say swerved to avoid a slow moving vehicle, then lost control and slammed into a grove of trees. The car was crumpled by the impact, making extraction of Mather's body very difficult. He was declared dead on the scene by paramedics who arrived a short time later."MTV's Web site reportedly claimed to have a photograph and eyewitness accounts of the accident. However, less than two days after the rumor's inception, executives from Eminem's record label posted a statement on his Web site claiming that the contentious Slim Shady was "alive and at home with his family for the holidays in Detroit, " adding, "And he wishes all of you shady holidays and a dirty New Year."