Singer Billy Joel in car accident

Billy Joel suffered a small cut to his finger after his car hit a house

Singer Billy Joel has been involved in his third car accident in two years after his vehicle hit a house. No-one was seriously injured.

The 54-year-old's car left the wet road on Long Island, New York, on Sunday.

Joel suffered a small cut and was not suspected of any crime, Nassau County police officer Joan Eames said.

Last year Joel had hospital treatment after his car hit a tree in Long Island. He escaped serious injury in a crash in East Hampton in June 2002.

Refused

The singer was alone in the car on Sunday and no-one in the house was hurt, police said.

There was no evidence that alcohol or drugs were involved, police added, and Joel refused medical attention for the cut to his finger.

Thomas Phillips Jr was on his front lawn when he heard the crash and went over to see what happened.

Joel's 33 US Top 40 hits include Uptown Girl and Piano Man

Joel "seemed embarrassed that he lost control of the car," Phillips said.

"He said: 'I can't believe I got in another accident.' He was just going out to get a pizza."

Billy Joel's spokesman was unavailable for comment.

Joel has been one of the most popular male singers of the last 30 years, with hits including Uptown Girl and Piano Man.

Clinic

With 33 US top 40 hits, he has sold more than 100 million records around the world. He has also won six Grammy awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.

Joel and model Christie Brinkley, who divorced in 1994, have a teenage daughter, Alexa Ray.

Last year the star was airlifted to hospital after his car swerved off the road on Long Island, but was released 12 hours later.

Following his June 2002 crash, he spent 10 days in a substance abuse and psychiatric clinic for what was described as "a specific and personal problem that had recently developed".