Hurley Injured In Crash

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Point guard Bobby Hurley of the Sacramento Kings was in serious condition today after being thrown from his truck when another vehicle struck it.

Hurley, a two-time All-American at Duke University and the seventh player taken in the 1993 NBA draft, had two collapsed lungs, several broken ribs and pelvis and back injuries, but was expected to live, a team spokesman said.

"My understanding is he was in surgery most of the night for the collapsed lungs and tears in the lungs," said Jerry Reynolds, general manager of the Kings. "He is stable, but serious. It went as well as it could have."

Reynolds said Hurley, in addition to the lung injuries, has broken ribs, some pelvic damage and his back is cut "pretty badly."

"To my knowledge, he's not in serious danger," Reynolds said.

Emily Avila, a spokeswoman at University of California-Davis Medical Center, said Hurley's condition was listed this morning as serious.

Police Lt. Rich Braziel said Hurley came to a stop sign and made a left turn. The other driver, who was not using his headlights, hit Hurley's pickup truck on the driver's side, sending it at least 100 feet and knocking off the left front wheel and part of the axle, the officer said.

Hurley was thrown from his vehicle and was found in a drainage canal next to a field. The accident happened at 9:15 p.m. - 65 minutes after the Kings lost to the Los Angeles Clippers - about a mile from the arena.

Police said Hurley was not using his seat belt, a violation of state law.

Police and hospital officials said the unidentified driver of the other vehicle was in fair condition with a fractured leg. The driver, believed to be in his 40s, was removed from his 1980-model station wagon by emergency crews and airlifted to the same hospital.

A Sacramento police investigator at the scene, who spoke only on the condition that he not be identified by name, said of the station wagon: "The speed limit here is 55, and you can be assured he was going at least that."

Teammate Mike Peplowski was one of the first people to arrive at the accident scene. He said Hurley was conscious and recognized him.