MTV host T.J. Lavin in critical condition after BMX bike crash

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BMX biker T.J. Lavin, host of MTV’s ‘The Challenge: Cutthroat,’ was in critical condition Friday after a Thursday night crash at a competition in Las Vegas.

Lavin, 33, lost control of his bike when he failed to complete one of his stunts, MTV said. He reportedly was thrown through the air after his feet couldn’t reach the pedals; he was knocked unconscious.

The Las Vegas native had brain swelling and was placed in a medically induced coma, TMZ said, after being rushed to an area hospital.

He suffered broken ribs and a broken wrist in addition to the head injury, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Lavin, who turned pro at age 19, was riding Thursday on the first night of the Dew Tour Championships, the final event of that skateboard and BMX series’ 2010 season. Going into the event he was ranked 27th out of 33 in the BMX Dirt category.

He’s been hosting incarnations of MTV’s ‘Challenge’ series since 2005.

— Christie D’Zurilla