‘Road Mangler’ Kaufman Injured

Kaufman, 80, underwent surgery for a fractured right ankle, multiple rib fractures and a thoracic spine fracture at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, according to Nashville Scene. He is said to be in critical but stable condition with no report of head injury or paralysis.

Kaufman’s exploits in rock ’n’ roll, described in his 1993 memoir, “Road Mangler Deluxe,” include the story of how after Gram Parsons died in 1973, Kaufman and a friend are said to have stolen his body from Los Angeles International Airport, drove to Joshua Tree National Monument and cremated the remains.

That story became the subject of the 2003 Johnny Knoxville film “Grand Theft Parsons.”