“It hurts when I laugh”

Cult filmmaker John Waters is on the mend after a car accident in Maryland this week resulted in a brief hospitalization.

“Because it hurts when I laugh, I will not have a funny answer to the fact that I was in a car accident that no one said was my fault,” Waters, 78, wrote in a statement Tuesday. “I hope you understand. I’m being released from the hospital and everything is fine.”

The accident occurred Monday in Timonium, north of Waters’ hometown of Baltimore, when a 2012 Chevrolet van whose driver was running a red light rammed into the driver’s side front corner of Waters’ 2015 Buick LaCrosse, according to a report according to the Baltimore Sun.

Both vehicles were towed from the scene of the accident. Waters, who remained hospitalized overnight, was checked for chest pain. The 25-year-old driver of the van, who admitted to “entering the intersection on a red light,” according to the police report, was uninjured.

Waters, also known as the “Pope of Trash,” a title bestowed upon him by William Burroughs, is famous for cult classics such as “Pink Flamingos” and “Cry-Baby.” He lives part-time in San Francisco and is a recognized gay icon and author.

After rumors circulated on social media that he had suffered a serious head injury, Waters issued a statement clarifying his condition. He was in Baltimore last week for the Maryland Film Festival.

In recognition of his contributions to the film industry, Waters was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame last year.

Reach Aidin Vaziri: [email protected]