Hollywood actor and director Mel Gibson was probably kicking himself last week after he crashed his Italian Maserati sports car into a rocky hillside in Malibu, California.

The 54-year-old was reported to have been driving alone in his car, and was not said to have been injured as a result of the smash. No other vehicles were involved in the accident.

In 2006 the Braveheart star received a conviction for drink driving, however alcohol was not to blame for last week’s incident.

There is a suggestion that the actor may have fallen asleep at the wheel. One of the officers who attended the scene said Gibson had now given a definite answer either way when asked if he may have dropped off while driving his 2008 sports car around the seaside area of Malibu.

A friend came to collect the Hollywood star as his vehicle had to be towed away. It’s not known how much damage the blue sports car sustained, and whether or not it is possible for it to be repaired.

The Highway Patrol Officer who attended the scene said the actor had been able to produce all of the necessary documents, and that he was satisfied that the crash had been a genuine accident. No charges have been made against the star.

The luxury Maserati Quattroporte would have set Gibson back an estimated £80,000 when bought new back in 2008; fingers crossed his car insurance policy is all up to date.