Camden, N.J. – Surgery on Gov. Jon Corzine’s injured leg was successful Saturday, while state police said the driver blamed for the wreck that critically injured the governor told them he didn’t stop because he hadn’t realized he was involved.
The 20-year-old driver, whom police found the night after Thursday’s crash, at an Atlantic City casino where he works, won’t be charged with leaving the scene of an accident, State Police Capt. Al Della Fave said.
Authorities left the door open for other charges, however, saying the investigation was not complete.
Corzine’s recovery was progressing better than doctors expected, said Dr. Steven Ross, head of trauma at Cooper University Hospital. Doctors cleaned a 6-inch wound during surgery on his left thigh.
The governor is not able to speak and not aware of his surroundings because of his heavy sedation. He is expected to remain on a ventilator until at least Monday, doctors said.
Corzine was hurt Thursday when the SUV he was riding in was clipped by a vehicle that swerved to avoid a red pickup that officials said was being driven erratically. Corzine’s vehicle slammed into a guardrail.
Corzine, who was riding in a sport utility vehicle driven by a state trooper, apparently was not wearing a seat belt as required by law.
