Robert Conrad partially paralyzed

Foxnews | 5/07/2003 | none

[Benrand]

Go ahead, knock it off...I dare ya.

[kcvl]

Actor Robert Conrad partially paralyzed from car accident

Wednesday, May 7, 2003

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(05-07) 09:54 PDT SAN ANDREAS, Calif. (AP) --

An arraignment for actor Robert Conrad, who is accused of felony drunk driving, has been postponed a month because he is partially paralyzed on his right side.

Conrad, best known for his roles in "Baa Baa Black Sheep" and "The Wild Wild West," was to be arraigned on two drunk driving charges on Tuesday. A judge continued the hearing until June 10.

Calaveras County District Attorney Jeffrey Tuttle said he had received a letter from a Santa Clara Valley Medical Center doctor indicating Conrad was suffering from paralysis and also sustained a head injury in the accident.

Lavelda Conrad said her husband sustained spinal cord and head injuries in the head-on collision on March 31.

Conrad's blood-alcohol level was above 0.20 percent, nearly three times the legal limit, when he crashed into another vehicle on Highway 4 near Arnold, injuring Kevin Burnett, 26, of Forest Meadows, according to a criminal complaint filed last month.

Burnett has since been released from the hospital and was recovering at home, his father said Tuesday. Fred Burnett said his son has a broken wrist and leg.

After the court hearing, Conrad's wife said her husband has 40 percent use of his left arm and is confined to a wheelchair but can "take some steps" with help.

Lavelda Conrad said her husband has also suffered short-term memory loss because of his head injury. She said he has no recollection of the accident and his speech has been affected as well.

She characterized her husband of 25 years as "very depressed" and said he is taking medication.

Lavelda Conrad said her husband is 68, but court records indicate he is 73.

[kcvl]