Niki Taylor Suffers Setback

Fri., Aug. 3, 2001 1:00 PM PDT by Josh Grossberg

Niki Taylor checked into a Florida hospital this week after suffering a setback in her recovery from her near-fatal car wreck, her publicist said Friday.

The 26-year-old model is currently listed in stable condition at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, Florida. She was admitted Tuesday after doctors found a small infection during a routine procedure. No other information was readily available about her condition.

"Due to the severity of Niki's injuries...setbacks and future treatments are expected as part of her ongoing recovery," the supermodel's spokeswoman, Lou Taylor (no relation), said in a statement.

"This has been a very long ten-week period for everyone, both emotionally and physically, especially for Niki. Right now we are just taking it one day at a time and thanking God for returning Niki home to us."

One of the world's top runway stars, Taylor was hospitalized in critical condition April 29 after sustaining severe internal injuries, including life-threatening liver damage, when the vehicle she was riding in slammed into a utility pole. The driver, Taylor's friend James Renegar, told police he lost control of his 1993 Nissan Maxima on an Atlanta off-ramp when he looked down to answer his cell phone.

Renegar and another passenger, John Lack, were treated for minor scrapes and released shortly after the crash. Taylor, who was wearing her seatbelt at the time, initially seemed unscathed, but later began experiencing intense abdominal pain and was rushed to the hospital.

She remained at Atlanta's Grady Memorial hospital until June 26, after which she was discharged and moved to a nearby rehabilitation center. She was readmitted to Grady July 6 so doctors could drain a build-up of fluid from her liver.

The supermodel finally received the all clear July 17 and returned to her home in Davie, Florida, where she was expected to undergo months of grueling physical therapy.

At the time of her release, Taylor expressed her gratitude to the doctors and staff who saved her life and said she planned to hold a celebrity benefit to help raise funds for the hospital.