CULLMAN, Ala. (AP) – Former NASCAR driver Jeff Purvis injured in a crash on I-65 that closed the highway for two hours, officials said Saturday.

Purvis, from Clarksville, Tenn., was bound for Talladega, where he was to compete Saturday night in a Dirt Late Model Series race at Talladega Short Track.

The crash occurred when a southbound vehicle crossed the median and collided with a northbound vehicle at Milepost 295 in the southern part of the county, state trooper spokesman Sgt. Tim Sartain told The Birmingham News.

The total number of those injured was unclear Saturday night, but Sartain said the injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.

Gene Washer, publisher and president of the Leaf Chronicle in Clarksville, Tenn., said he is close friends with Purvis’ family and spoke with Purvis’ wife, Margo, after the accident.

“According to Margo, Jeff had two fractures in his neck and two fractures in his back,” Washer said. “She was banged up a bit, his crew chief Matt Angel had a back injury, Jeff’s son, Clay, had some bruised ribs and one of the crew members was cut up a little bit. But they all exited safely.”

Sartain said the injured were taken to Cullman Regional Medical Center.

Washer said Jeff Purvis was later flown to Vanderbilt University Hospital and his wife said he appeared to be in good spirits.

“She said he was talking and moving and everything when they were putting him on the helicopter,” Washer said.

AP-ES-08-05-06 2154EDT