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Governor's Son Says Father Can Recognize Children

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Apr 15, 2007 4:54 pm US/Eastern

Governor's Son Says Father Can Recognize Children

Corzine Responding To Visitors

CAMDEN, N.J. (CBS/AP) ― Gov. Jon S. Corzine's eldest son said his father is able to recognize and respond to visitors, three days after he was critically injured in an accident on the Garden State Parkway.

"When you talk to him, he can recognize your voice, that's my feeling," said Joshua Corzine, one of the governor's two sons. "He definitely responds when you let him know who you are."

Joshua Corzine, 30, who spoke to reporters at the hospital along with his sister Jennifer, 36, and younger brother Jeffrey, 24, also thanked the medical staff for the care they've given Corzine and thanked well-wishers from across the country. The governor's three children said they were feeling positive about their father's condition.

"We're giving him the thumbs up right now, so we're really feeling good about what's happening," said Jennifer Pisani, the governor's daughter.

Corzine remained in critical condition Sunday after doctors performed what was described as a "routine procedure" to remove fluid that had collected outside his left lung.

Corzine's three children and his girlfriend, Sharon Elghanayan, visited with the governor Sunday and are "pleased" with his progress, said Anthony Coley, a spokesman for the governor.

"They remain pleased with his progress. They are upbeat," Coley said, adding that although the governor remains sedated, he has been able to communicate to some degree. "There is some communication."

According to Coley, the procedure, which is common for patients who sustain a number of rib fractures, lasted less than 15 minutes, and doctors said it was "successful."

The governor was critically injured Thursday when his SUV crashed on the Garden State Parkway, after his vehicle was hit by another vehicle that swerved to avoid a pickup truck, sending the governor's SUV into a guard rail.

The 60-year-old governor, who was apparently not wearing his seat belt while riding in the front passenger's seat, was taken by helicopter to Cooper University Hospital in Camden. He broke his leg, 12 ribs, his breastbone, his collarbone, and suffered a head laceration and a minor fracture on a lower vertebra.

Corzine had been on his way to a meeting at his mansion in Princeton between radio show host Don Imus and the Rutgers women's basketball team.

The governor has already undergone two surgeries on his badly broken leg and is expected to undergo a third on Monday.

The driver of a red pickup truck that was blamed for the wreck was not charged for leaving the scene of the crash because the man said he was trying to make room for the governor's motorcade.

However, authorities said the investigation was not complete and other charges were possible. Investigators still want to interview Corzine, who remained on a ventilator, unable to speak.

(© 2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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