Nicolas Azevedo, the Hilmar teen seriously injured in a car accident Monday, has awoken from his coma.

According to his mother, Lorraine Azevedo, the 18-year-old is speaking and has walked about 250 feet. He is currently in the intensive care unit at Doctors Medical Center.

Nicholas Azevedo was critically injured Monday morning while driving to Modesto Junior College. His Jeep Wrangler clipped a tractor-trailer and then veered across Highway 99 before colliding with a lamppost.

Even though he was wearing a seat belt, he still hit his head against the lamppost, Lorraine Azevedo said.

Drugs and alcohol were not a factor in the crash the California Highway Patrol said.

To contact Sabra Stafford, e-mail sstafford@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2002.