Tejano music star Emilio Navaira was critically injured when his touring bus crashed on the West Loop early Sunday in an accident that also sent seven others to the hospital, authorities said.

The bus, carrying Navaira and his band, Rio, struck a set of freeway barrels about 5 a.m. on the northbound 610 Loop just before the exit to the Southwest Freeway.

"For some reason, the driver lost control and hit the barrels. We don't know why yet," said Bellaire police Sgt. Daniel Kerr. "He (the driver) was ejected through the front window."

Kerr would not confirm later Sunday if Navaira was driving, but other officials at the scene said the Grammy-winning performer was behind the wheel at the time.

Navaira, 45, was taken in critical condition to Memorial Hermann Hospital, where two other victims of the bus accident were treated and released, officials said.