Lavin’s condition improves; BMX racer aware of wreck

T.J. Lavin's condition has been updated from critical to serious after the acclaimed BMX racer from Las Vegas suffered serious head injuries Oct. 14 during a preliminary round of the Dew Tour BMX Dirt bicycle event at the Hard Rock Hotel.

Lavin, 33, a popular action sports competitor and host of various shows on MTV, was removed from breathing and feeding tubes Thursday. Although he has not opened his eyes, he has been able to communicate with doctors.

"He still kind of mumbles, but when they asked him if he knew he was in a hospital, he shook his head yes," longtime Las Vegas friend and fellow rider Nate Berkheimer said Friday.

Berkheimer last visited Lavin, 33, a graduate of Durango High School, on Wednesday at University Medical Center. Lavin, Berkheimer said, has moved his arms to scratch his nose and chest and could be moved out of the hospital's intensive care unit this weekend.

"They told me when he was asked if he knew why he was in the hospital, he said, 'Bike crash.' "

Chas Aday, Lavin's friend and business manager, told People.com on Friday that doctors don't expect Lavin to suffer brain damage from the crash, but he'll probably require rehabilitation for his brain "to get it back to normal."

The news has not been as good for Las Vegan Ty Pinney, who suffered a severe head injury while riding on Lavin's BMX track the day before Lavin crashed.

Berkheimer said Pinney has not awakened from his coma. A website, HealTyPinney.com, has been set up to help defray medical costs for the Pinney family.

Contact reporter Jeff Wolf at jwolf@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0247.