Supermodel Niki Taylor critically hurt in car crash

<br>ATLANTA (AP) _ Supermodel Niki Taylor remained in critical condition with severe liver damage early Wednesday, three days after a car she was riding in crashed into a utility pole. <br><br>Frankie

Wednesday, May 2nd 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

ATLANTA (AP) _ Supermodel Niki Taylor remained in critical condition with severe liver damage early Wednesday, three days after a car she was riding in crashed into a utility pole.

Frankie Smith, assistant director of patient care at Grady Memorial Hospital, said Taylor's condition was unchanged from late Tuesday.

The 26-year-old Taylor, who was wearing a seat belt, was not thrown from the car and initially appeared to be unhurt, publicist Lou Taylor said.

``Everyone felt she was OK, and then she had severe stomach pains,'' said the publicist, who is not related to the model.

Lou Taylor said the model was awake but heavily sedated on Tuesday. No surgery was planned.

Driver James Renegar, 27, told police he lost control of the 1993 Nissan Maxima when he looked down to answer his cell phone. Police said they did not suspect drugs or alcohol contributed to the accident.

Renegar and passenger John Lack, 30, were treated and released after the accident. Lou Taylor described them as old friends of the model.

Niki Taylor was in Atlanta to visit friends for the weekend and planned to return home to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Monday.

Taylor is the mother of twin 6-year-old boys.

She landed on the cover of Seventeen magazine when she was barely 14, and has appeared in ads for Cover Girl cosmetics and Liz Claiborne fashions. She has also been a pictured in Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue.