Denny Issues a Statement, Says He Is Feeling ‘OK’ : Recovery: The trucker who was savagely beaten says he has ‘no idea of what happened.’ He also says ‘I don’t believe in any slur against any person or any type of person.’

Truck driver Reginald O. Denny, whose brutal televised beating has come to symbolize the racial turmoil that ripped through the city, is well enough to talk and told hospital officials Monday that he is feeling “OK.”

Denny, who was yanked from his big-rig by rioters and nearly beaten to death at Florence and Normandie avenues, the flash point of the riots, said he has little memory of the assault and does not want to talk about it.

“My opinion is only my opinion. I know a lot of you want to know what I think of what happened,” Denny said in statements to staff at Daniel Freeman Memorial Hospital. “Quite frankly, I have no opinion on what happened and really have no idea of what happened.

“I don’t believe in any slur against any person or any type of person,” he said. “It was an unfortunate situation and I happened to be there in the middle of it. I was just doing my job, what I do for work.”

The 36-year-old trucker for a cement company continues to make a remarkable recovery from severe head injuries suffered when he was repeatedly beaten and kicked by rioters, one of whom bashed his skull with a fire extinguisher. Denny underwent three hours of reconstructive surgery on Saturday to repair crushed facial bones.

On Sunday, Denny was awake and talkative, and ate his first soft foods. The trucker is now able to take short walks. Family and several close friends have kept vigil at the hospital every day.

“His spirits are really good. He’s looking good,” said roommate Don Kelley, who has not discussed the riots with his friend. “We just tell him we are praying for him.”

Denny’s beating was captured by television cameras in helicopters and has been repeatedly broadcast. Four good Samaritans forged into the melee to rescue Denny, guiding his truck to the hospital where doctors said he was moments from death.

Denny has been deluged with requests for interviews, said Mary Schnack, hospital spokeswoman, but is uncomfortable with the attention and has declined to publicly speak about his attack.

He said he recalls driving on Florence Avenue, but little else.

“What happened between then and now is still foggy and kind of scares me,” he said.

Denny, who will be hospitalized for another 10 to 14 days, praised his caretakers.

“But I do want to go home, too,” he said. “I’m tired of sitting in bed.”