Former NASCAR driver Jeff Purvis was injured in a crash on I-65 [in Alabama] that closed the highway for two hours, officials said Saturday. Purvis, from Clarksville, Tenn., was bound for Talladega, where he was to compete Saturday night in a Dirt Late Model Series race at Talladega Short Track. The crash occurred when a southbound vehicle crossed the median and collided with a northbound vehicle at Milepost 295 in the southern part of the county, state trooper spokesman Sgt. Tim Sartain told The Birmingham News. The total number of those injured was unclear Saturday night, but Sartain said the injuries were not thought to be life-threatening. Gene Washer, publisher and president of the Leaf Chronicle in Clarksville, Tenn., said he is close friends with Purvis’ family and spoke with Purvis’ wife, Margo, after the accident. “According to Margo, Jeff had two fractures in his neck and two fractures in his back,” Washer said. “She was banged up a bit, his crew chief Matt Angel had a back injury, Jeff’s son, Clay, had some bruised ribs and one of the crew members was cut up a little bit. But they all exited safely.” Sartain said the injured were taken to Cullman Regional Medical Center. Washer said Jeff Purvis was later flown to Vanderbilt University Hospital and his wife said he appeared to be in good spirits. “She said he was talking and moving and everything when they were putting him on the helicopter,” Washer said.(ESPN.com/AP)(8-5-2006)
UPDATE: Purvis, along with his wife, Margo, son Clay, crew chief Matt Angel, and another Clarksville resident were heading toward Talladega for the Saturday night race when the accident occurred. Margo, who was not injured, told The Leaf-Chronicle publisher Gene Washer, the hauler veered out of control after the blown tire, crossed the medium into traffic, hitting two cars, then hit some tree before coming to a stop. Margo told Washer everybody exited safely, only seconds before the hauler burst into flames. The hauler, dirt track cars and equipment were a total loss. Purvis had two fractures in his neck and back, and was airlifted to Vanderbilt at 7:50 p.m. Clay had sore ribs, and Angel was wearing a neck brace, Margo said. Margo told Washer that Jeff was talking when he was loaded onto the helicopter. Margo said Clay was sleeping in a bunk when the wreck occurred. Jeff jumped up to protect Clay, and was tossed around the living quarters inside the hauler. Purvis returned to dirt track racing last season, after a nearly 20-year career in the ARCA, Busch and NASCAR Nextel Cup Series.(Clarkville Leaf-Chronicle)(8-6-2006)
UPDATE 2: Race driver Jeff Purvis was expected to be released from a Nashville hospital Sunday night and taken to his home in Clarksville for continued treatment of injuries sustained in a crash Saturday night on I-65 in Alabama. A Vanderbilt University Hospital spokeswoman said Purvis was listed as “a no-information” patient and could not give an update on his condition. Attempts to contact family members were unsuccessful.(Tennessean)(8-7-2006)
UPDATE 3: Jeff Purvis is now at his Clarksville, TN home to begin the recovery process after being seriously injured in a highway accident on Saturday near Cullman, AL. Purvis, who competes with the StormPay.com Dirt Late Model Series, was visited today by series Founder and Director Mike Vaughn. “Jeff is now at home, sitting up and in good spirits,” Vaughn reported. “He has fractures of his C1, and C5 vertebra in his neck, compression fractures of the T2 and T6 vertebra in his back, a separated sternum, and he has a gash in his head that took 24 staples to close. He has seen pictures of the aftermath of the accident and he’s very thankful that no one lost their life in the accident.” Those desiring to send get well wishes to Jeff Purvis may do so by E-mail at www.stormpayracing.com, or by regular mail in care of StormPay Racing, 1690 Golf Club Lane, Clarksville, TN 37043.(StormPayRacing.com PR)(8-9-2006)
UPDATE 4: This time will he walk away from the sport that twice has almost cost him his life? Maybe. “After my 2002 Busch crash my head was in a halo (brace) and I had to rely on Margo to feed me,” Purvis joked. “So when people would ask me if I would race again I had to say ‘no’ if I wanted to get fed. This time, I don’t know what my plans are. The important thing right now is just to get everybody healed up.” Now, after a second close call that would prompt most of us to take up checkers or bowling, will Purvis finally hang up his racing helmet? He makes no promise that he might not be able to keep.(Tennessean.com)(8-20-2006)
