Washington (CNN) - Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s wife broke her back and neck and his daughter suffered a neck injury in an auto accident, a spokesman said late Thursday afternoon.
“Their injuries are non-life threatening,” Jon Summers, Reid’s spokesman, said in a statement. The Nevada Democrat’s family was traveling along a “Washington, D.C. highway” when “their vehicle was rear-ended by a semi-truck,” Summers said.
Full statement:
“Senator Reid’s wife, Landra, and daughter, Lana, were involved in an accident earlier today. They are being treated at a Washington-area hospital. While driving on a Washington, DC, highway, their vehicle was rear-ended by a semi-truck. Mrs. Reid has broken nose, broken back and broken neck. Lana has a neck injury and facial lacerations. Both Mrs. Reid and Lana are conscious, can feel their extremities, and according to doctors their injuries are non-life threatening. Senator Reid has been to the hospital and appreciates the support he and his family are receiving from Nevadans and his colleagues in the Senate.”
UPDATE: Reid returned to Capitol Hill to participate in health care talks after visiting his wife and daughter in the hospital. Reid spokesman Jim Manley said that the senator’s wife continues to undergo testing.
“Let’s be clear, for those who may know, he loves that woman more than life itself,” Manley told reporters. “But she’s in good hands at the hospital and (he) felt the need to come back and work on this piece of legislation and he’ll be heading back to the hospital as quickly as possible. I just spoke to him and he’s looking forward to getting back to the hospital.”
Update Friday 11:48 a.m.: From Reid spokesman Jim Manley: “Mrs. Reid remains in serious condition. Lana was released last night. Sen. Reid and Landra’s family is coming to be by her side. Sen. Reid was at the hospital until almost midnight last night. He stayed there until the doctors told him he needed to leave so his wife could rest. He returned first thing this morning to be with her and is still there.”
– CNN Congressional Producer Ted Barrett contributed to this report
Read the Virginia State Police statement regarding the accident after the jump:
For Immediate Release: March 11, 2010
TRACTOR-TRAILER CAUSES FOUR-VEHICLE TRAFFIC CRASH
IN FAIRFAX COUNTY
FAIRFAX CO., Va. – An Ohio man has been charged in a four-vehicle crash that occurred Thursday afternoon (March 11, 2010) on Interstate 95 in Fairfax County. At 1:10 p.m., Virginia State Police Trooper Hindenlang responded to the crash that occurred in the northbound lanes of I-95 approximately 3/10 of a mile south of Route 7100.
Northbound traffic on I-95 near Route 7100 in Fairfax County was stop and go. As a 2005 Honda Odyssey began braking for the northbound traffic, it was rear-ended by a tractor-trailer. The impact forced the Honda Odyssey to rear-end the vehicle in front of it, a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The Jeep Grand Cherokee was then forced into the next lane over where it struck a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt.
The driver and passenger of the Honda Odyssey, driver of the Jeep Grand Cherokee and driver of the Chevrolet Cobalt were all transported by ambulance to Fairfax Inova Hospital. None of the injuries is considered life-threatening. Every individual was wearing a safety belt.
The tractor-trailer driver, Alan W. Snader, 59, of Ohio, was charged with reckless driving. Snader was not injured in the crash. The tractor-trailer was loaded with rolls of plastic.
The two northbound lanes of I-95 were re-opened at approximately 3 p.m.
HONDA ODYSSEY DRIVER: Lana Reid Barringer, 48, of McClean, Va.
HONDA ODYSSEY PASSENGER: Landra G. Reid, 69, of Arizona
JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE DRIVER: Michelle Helaire, 40, of Woodbridge, Va.
CHEVROLET COBALT DRIVER: Monika Krese, 57, of Dale City, Va.
TRACTOR-TRAILER DRIVER: Alan W. Snader, 59, of Ohio
###
From CNN Politics
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M prayers are with him and his family.
Hope no one was hurt badly.
Probably a toyota behind them.
I pray they'll both be OK and Sen. Reid can resume the important work he's doing on behalf of all sick and injured Americans.
I hope they have health insurance! Just Kidding! Hope they are doing fine.
Car crashes hurt, people. Anyone who can make jokes when someone is hurting isn't human. A car crash can be deadly. Be grateful that this one wasn't and hope that no one was hurt badly.
Hope the family is ok.
My prayers go out to Senator Reid and his family.
Sorry to hear best of luck to them.
I hope they are ok.The moron that hit them was probably Twittering or texting.
May God bring healing to Lana and Landra Reid. Thankfully, they weren't hurt worse.
That's what happens when you slam on breaks to avoid a red light camera ticket....
All joking aside, best wishes to Reid and his family.
I hope his wife and daughter were not seriously hurt.
May God bless the Reids and I pray that wife and daughter are OK.
Hope both are doing well, I may not care for Reid and Co. but there is no need to bring peoples families into political spectrum
I wish the Reid's the very best.
May the Almighty heal your wife and daughter.
I hope this was not a warning to Senator Reid as he proceeds to pass health care.
Senator Reid is a great American leader,who has a wonderful family.All Nevadians pray that his wife and daughter are well,and I hope all Americans join our prayers because these moments need prayer, not partisanship!
Good wishes to your family, Mr. Reid. I'm heartily sorry for some of the comments here, and some of the disrespect. No one should make fun of someone else's pain.
Hope all is ok.
Hope wife and Daughter is ok God Bless the family
Dear Senator Reid: May Your Wife & Your Daughter be blessed. Thank You so much for: Support "HEATH CARE REFORM". We grateful & apprecicated everything you have done for us American family. Your kindness shall never forget. May God Bless Your Lovely Family.. Respectfully, Thank You
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. He is lucky
HIS family has wonderful health care – and I know he is fighting
for the rest of us to have the same. Keep fighting for us sir!
It's unfortunate that they were hurt and I wish them a full and speedy recovery.
As for those of you who use things like this to post hateful attacks, shame on you.
Brother Reid, as a member of your faith, I pray your wife and daughter are okay.