Jason Priestley Rides Road to Recovery

By Stephen M. Silverman

08/12/2002 at 10:45 AM EDT

Former "Beverly Hills, 90210" hunk Jason Priestley is showing signs of alertness and is expected to recover fully from a concussion, broken back and other injuries he suffered Sunday when his race car crashed into a wall at 180 mph, doctors told a news conference Monday. The Associated Press reports that Dr. Andrew Bernard, trauma surgeon at University of Kentucky hospital, said, "Jason does not have any injury that shouldn't fully recover." The actor, 32, an 11-year veteran of car racing, was breathing on his own, responding to commands and becoming more and more aware of his surroundings, said Bernard. Added Indy Racing League medical director Henry Bock: "We have no indication from any of the scans that he's had that he has any further damage to his head." Priestley's father, Lorne, said of his son: "He's better, so I'm better." Priestley fractured his spine and suffered a head injury and fractures to both feet Sunday when he crashed head-on into a wall during a final practice race for the Kentucky 100 at the Kentucky Speedway. He suffered a spinal fracture and a head injury, as well as a broken nose and broken bones in both feet.