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F2000: Bezerra Out of Coma, Begins Rehabilitation

6 March 1998

FAIRFIELD, N.J. (March 6, 1998): Thiago Bezerra, of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, emerged from his 40-day coma Thursday, and has now begun physical therapy at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami.

Bezerra, who suffered a severe diffuse brain injury in an accident during the U.S. F2000 National Championship race at Walt Disney World Speedway January 24, steadily improved over the last week at Orlando Regional Medical Center prior to his move Wednesday to Jackson Memorial.

"He's doing well and working well with physical therapy and the Rehabilitation Services," said Dr. Philip Villanueva, Director of Head Trauma Services, Jackson Memorial Hospital. "He is interacting with his family more. We will remove the tracheotomy by this weekend, then we're waiting for the interpretation of one of his scans to get a better idea of the severity of his injuries. He is out of his coma and stable."

"This is the best news we've heard since the accident," said Dan Andersen, co-promoter of the U.S. F2000 National Championship. "I know that I speak for everyone involved in the series when I say that our best wishes and prayers are with Thiago and his family for a quick and complete recovery."