The 51-year-old director is in a coma after checking himself into a hospital and suffering a stroke

Boyz n the Hood Director John Singleton Is in a Coma After Suffering a 'Major Stroke'

Director John Singleton is in a coma after he recently suffered a stroke.

Singleton’s mother, Shelia Ward, filed an application to establish a temporary conservatorship for his estate on Thursday.

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In court documents, obtained by PEOPLE, Ward wrote Singleton suffered a “major stroke” on April 17. “He is currently hospitalized in a coma and is unable to provide for his personal needs,” Ward said.

Ward said Singleton was involved in “several business projects and was prepared to sign a lucrative settlement agreement” at the end of the month, according to the documents.

The conservatorship would be established to prevent a “substantial financial loss.”

Reps for Singleton did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

Image zoom John Singleton, Samuel L. Jackson and Spike Lee Earl Gibson III/Getty Images

Singleton checked himself into a hospital last week after he began experiencing weakness in his legs after a trip to Costa Rica, according to TMZ.

“On Wednesday, April 17th our beloved son/father, John Singleton, suffered a stroke while at the hospital. John is currently in the ICU and under great medical care,” the Singleton family said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. “We ask that privacy be given to him and our family at this time and appreciate all of the prayers that have been pouring in from his fans, friends and colleagues.”

In 1992, Singleton became the youngest person, and the first African American, to ever be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director. He was nominated for his work directing classic Boyz n the Hood.

Throughout his career, Singleton also directed, wrote and produced Poetic Justice (1993) and Shaft (2000). He went on to direct 2 Fast 2 Furious in 2003.