#37-Jeff Purvis was admitted to Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown, Pa., in serious but stable condition Sunday after a two-car accident with #60-Greg Biffle at Nazareth. Purvis sustained a contusion to the left base of the brain and a fracture of the first and second vertebrae according to Dr. K. Shah, trauma surgeon at Lehigh Valley. The surgeon said Purvis was able to move all his extremities. Purvis was knocked out in the crash and was cut from his car. He was initially taken by ambulance to the track’s infield care center, where he was awake but disoriented. He was then taken by helicopter to Lehigh Valley for a CT scan and further evaluation, according to Dr. James Mock. Purvis was scheduled for more tests Sunday evening and additional tests either Monday or Tuesday. Biffle was also briefly knocked unconscious in the violent side-to-side collision, but after several minutes awoke and walked to an ambulance. After visiting the infield care center while awake and alert, he was taken by ambulance to St. Luke’s Hospital in Bethlehem, Pa., for a CT scan. Purvis apparently blew an engine, slid in its oil and hit the outside wall under the pedestrian bridge over Turn 1, Biffle also hit the oil and slammed into Purvis’ driver’s side door and left front fender broadside when he tried to avoid Purvis(NASCAR.com)(5-19-2002)
UPDATE: A team spokesperson at Brewco Motorsports said Monday morning that doctors were re-evaluating Jeff Purviss condition at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown, Pa., after Purvis suffered injuries in a two-car accident in the Busch Series Stacker 2 200 at Nazareth (Pa.) Speedway Sunday afternoon. The spokesperson said they had talked to team manager and crew chief Terry Shirley, who said doctors were weening Purvis off a ventilator. The team spokesperson said Shirley said Purvis was following commands, and that he had slept well throughout the night, and that doctors werent worried about his head injury any more.(Brewco Site)(5-20-2002)
UPDATE 2: FSN’s Totally NASCAR reports that Purvis is listed in serious condition, heavily sedated but responding to commands and that no surgery is expected. Biffle has a separated shoulder, but plans to race at Lowes this weekend.(5-20-2002)
UPDATE 3: Jeff Purvis remains in the Neuro Intensive Care unit of the Leheigh Valley Hospital in Allentown, PA. Purvis is listed in serious but stable condition following a vicious wreck in Sunday’s race at Nazareth. Doctors are keeping Purvis sedated and on a ventillator to aid the healing process. Purvis also has clean fractures of the c-1 and c-2 vertebrae. Purvis is expected to spend one to two weeks hospitalized. No word on who will drive the #37 Timber Wolf Chevy at Lowes.(PRN’s Garage Pass)(5-20-2002)
UPDATE 4: Jeff Purvis, who was injured in the NASCAR Busch Series race at Nazareth (PA) Speedway on Sunday, May 19th, remains in the neuro intensive care unit of the Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Purvis is in serious, but stable condition. In addition to head and neck injuries, Purvis has a broken left leg. The doctors at Lehigh Valley Hospital have completed their procedures on Purvis and the next step will be rehabilitation. Purvis has been taken off the ventilator and his condition continues to improve. Purvis will remain at the Lehigh Valley Hospital until the location of his rehabilitation is determined. Another update on Purvis condition and a statement concerning the #37 Timber Wolf Racing Team will be made on Wednesday, May 22nd. Brewco Motorsports and the Purvis family would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers, and well wishes.(Brewco Site)(5-21-2002)
UPDATE 5: the Tennessean reports – Injured racer Jeff Purvis yesterday remained in serious but stable condition at a Pennsylvania hospital and a team representative said the driver from Clarksville is showing improvement. Spokesman Dennis Punch said Purvis’ injuries are no longer life-threatening. Punch said Purvis was conscious and talking with family members. He said the driver’s most serious injuries were two broken vertebrae in his neck and ”a slight bleeding of the brain,” but said tests show no spinal damage and there is no paralysis. Along with the head and neck injuries, Purvis suffered a broken left leg. He spent Sunday night and Monday on a ventilator, but was removed yesterday. Punch said doctors have completed their procedures on the broken vertebrae and leg, and the next step will be a lengthy rehabilitation period. He said he is not sure when Purvis will be returned to Clarksville, his hometown. The injuries make it highly unlikely the 43-year-old Purvis will be able to race any more this season. His team, Brewco Motorsports of Kentucky, will need a replacement driver, and Punch said team owner Clarence Brewer Jr. is expected to hold a news conference today to discuss the situation.(5-22-2002)
UPDATE – Purvis released from hospital: Jeff Purvis was released Friday from Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown, PA. Purvis was outfitted with a “halo” used to restrict head and neck movement and was flown to a rehabilitation center, where he will receive treatment for his head, neck and leg injuries. His family did not want to release the centers location. Purvis continues to improve and spoke with Brewco Motorsports team president Todd Wilkerson Friday, inquiring about the teams performance in Fridays BGN practice session and qualifying. Cards and well wishes can be sent to Jeff Purvis, P.O. Box 30637, Clarksville, TN 37040.(ThatsRacin.com)(5-24-2002)
