Irvan’s Condition Improves Sharply

Stock car driver Ernie Irvan showed strong improvement Tuesday, responding to commands from doctors and the swelling of his brain diminished.

“Although I would take these as very encouraging signs, he still remains in terms of brain and neurological injury in critical condition,” said Dr. Errol Erlandson, a vascular surgeon at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital near Ann Arbor, Mich.

“Setbacks and complications are certainly a possibility. A slow, progressive recovery would be the best we could look at at this time.”

Erlandson said he was encouraged that the hospital’s trauma team has not found any additional injuries since Irvan was brought in after his car slammed into a wall during practice Saturday for the Goodwrench Dealers 400.

Irvan suffered head and lung injuries and remained on a ventilator Tuesday. His lung injury has stabilized, Erlandson said.

Irvan began opening his eyes Monday afternoon after drugs given him were decreased and he responded with some body movements later that evening.

“These are certainly not responses that we would call perfectly normal or fully responsive or conscious, but they are appropriate,” Erlandson said.

Irvan’s eyes were open at times and he can move his arms, legs and head and also grimace. The ventilator prevents him from trying to talk, however, Erlandson said.

Brian VanDercook, spokesman for Irvan’s racing team, said he was encouraged after visiting with Irvan.

“I was confident when I left the room that he knew it was me who was talking to him, that he understood what I was saying to him about the support of his teammates and his friends and thousands of concerned fans.

“His left leg was moving like he was pedaling a bicycle” in response to voices, VanDercook said. “I’ve never felt better than I did talking today to Ernie.”

Erlandson said at a news conference he doesn’t think further surgery will be needed.

“We must remain very guarded because this is a very severe injury,” he said.

The only surgery performed so far has been a minor procedure to make it easier for Irvan to breathe.