Leverett Residents Recuperating From Car Crash

A Leverett House student critically injured in a September car crash has recently come out of a coma and last week recognized visitors, doctors treating him said yesterday.

Roland T. Heacock `84 is in stable condition at the Kennedy Memorial Hospital for Children, where he was transferred form Massachusetts General Hospital November 21.

The Leverett House residents were injured when their car flipped over on Route 27 in Natick, pinning them inside until a wrecking crew arrived on the scene.

Another of the three students injured in the crash, Wayne L. Johnson '84, yesterday described Heacock as aware of his surroundings, adding that Heacock is writing on a pad but cannot speak. Johnson fractured a bone in his back and is recovering at Harvard.

Barbara A. Keller, director of community relations at Kennedy Memorial, said yesterday that Heacock's condition remained serious, and that any improvement will he gradual. She would not confirm or deny that he could write.

The third Leverett student hurt in the crash, Peter B. Strong '85, is recuperating in Memphis and will take an additional semester off to rehabilitate his damaged leg and arm before returning to Harvard this fall, Strong said last night.

Heacock's classmates and friends will begin visiting him on a regular basis as soon as his condition improves sufficiently. Leverett Senior Tutor Thomas A. Dingman '67 said yesterday.

Dingman added that he and House Master John E. Dowling '57 are currently working with Heacock's physician to determine when and how such visits would be most helpful.