(04/13/07) CAMDEN ? A spokesperson for Governor Jon Corzine (D-NJ) says "it does not appear the governor was wearing a seatbelt" during Thursday?s crash on the Garden State Parkway.

At a press briefing Friday morning, doctors said Corzine remains in critical, but stable condition. However, they say his condition has significantly improved overnight. The governor remains on a ventilator and has a tube down his throat. Dr. Stephen Ross of Cooper University Hospital says the governor is communicating and answering simple yes and no questions.

Ross says Corzine, 60, remains heavily sedated to deal with the pain of his injures. The governor sustained a fractured leg, cracked ribs, a fractured sternum and a fractured vertebrae. Ross says Cozine was "lucky." Doctors are planning a second surgery for the governor Saturday and a third Monday.

The crash occurred Thursday night while Corzine was on his way to mediate a meeting between radio host Don Imus and the Rutgers women?s basketball team. The SUV he was riding in slammed into a guardrail. Corzine, the driver, Trooper RobertRasinski, and an aide were airlifted to thehospital. Rasinski had minor injuries and the aide was fine. Police are searching for a red pickup truck believed to have caused the crash.

New Jersey law mandates front-seat occupants of vehicles wear seatbelts. Corzine was in the front passenger seat of the vehicle at the time of the crash.

Corzine?s children, Jeff Corzine and Jennifer Pasani, also spoke at Friday?s briefing. Pasani said she visited with her father and got a "really good vibe from him." State Senate President Richard Codey (D) is presently acting governor of New Jersey while Corzine recovers. Codey previously served as acting governor for 14 months after James McGreevey resigned from the post.

Codey, along with Chief of Staff Tom Shea, addressed reporters at the Statehouse Friday. They said the day-to-day operation of New Jersey will continue uninterrupted. "The business of the state of New Jersey will continue," said Shea.

Acting Governor Codey said he will work closely with Corzine's staff in the upcoming days. Codey added the state will be fully prepared for the nor'easter expected to hit New Jersey this weekend.

It is not known when Corzine will be able take over as governor once again.

Click here for the complete hospital briefing

Click here for the complete Statehouse briefing with Codey and Shea.

The complete hospital briefing can also be seen by going to channel 612 on your digital cable box and selecting iO Extra

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