A former NIU student injured in a fight near campus last October remains in a coma, although family members said his condition has improved.

Jeffery Voo, 22, is now in medically stable condition and is able to move his fingers, said the former art student’s father, David Voo.

“There are a number of comatose stages,” David Voo said. “When you are completely conscious you are in stage one. He is somewhere between stage one and stage two right now, so he’s come a long way,” he said.

“But, there’s still a long way to go. We’re looking at years here,” David Voo said.

Jeffery Voo was injured during a fight with his former roommate, David Smith, on the afternoon of Oct. 20. Voo and Smith argued about dividing a security deposit check and began fighting on the corner of Lucinda Avenue and Russell Road.

Witnesses said Voo fell to the sidewalk unconscious during the fight. When paramedics and police arrived, he had no pulse and was not breathing. Paramedics were able to resuscitate Voo, however, he did not regain consciousness and has remained in a coma to date.

David Voo said his son recently has been moved from St. James Hospital in Chicago Heights to Colonial Manor, a nursing home in La Grange.

Smith, 26, was charged with aggravated battery and faces two to five years in a state penitentiary and up to a $10,000 fine if convicted. Smith’s next court appearance is Jan. 13.