RICHMOND, Va. (AP) – Driver Jerry Nadeau is semiconscious and has not spoken since his car slammed into a wall May 2 during practice for a Winston Cup race.

Nadeau sustained what his doctors call a “moderate to severe head injury,” Jay Frye, general manager of Nadeau’s U.S. Army team, said during a conference call Tuesday. He said Nadeau’s communication has been mostly hand-squeezing and facial expressions.

“He looks good. He looks like Jerry,” Frye said, adding he has visited Nadeau five times at Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center. “There is some frustration – yes. You would like to see him and you would like to have him respond to you. He has been responding, but not verbally.”

Nadeau also sustained a partially collapsed left lung and a broken left shoulder blade. He has been in fair condition since last Thursday and his doctors are encouraged, Frye said. He added there is no timetable for his recovery.

The 32-year-old driver was injured at Richmond International Raceway when his car spun halfway as he entered the first turn and made direct impact on the driver’s side.

NASCAR calls the accident the most violent wreck since black box-style data recorders were put in cars two years ago.

As part of his rehabilitation, Nadeau is moved from his bed and doctors use such stimuli as television and familiar smells in hopes of speeding his recovery.

Nadeau’s wife, Jada, and his parents have been with him since the night of the crash, Frye said, and see daily signs of improvement.

“We all want to wave a magic wand and make him better,” Frye said. “You feel helpless. You want to do something to make it better, to make it all go away.”

With Nadeau out, the team has hired Mike Wallace.

to drive the No. 01 Pontiac in The Winston Open on May 17.

AP-ES-05-13-03 1305EDT