Advertisement Ben Carson campaign volunteer killed in Iowa crash Share Shares Copy Link Copy

A group of Ben Carson's campaign workers flipped its van Tuesday on a patch of ice near Atlantic, Iowa, and one volunteer was killed.The crash occurred just east of Exit 54 on Interstate 80.Three staff members for the Republican presidential candidate were treated for injuries, and one was taken to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.Campaign volunteer Braden Joplin, 25, was found unresponsive at the scene of the crash. He died at the Nebraska Medical Center's trauma center, according to a hospital spokesperson.Officials said Carson canceled the rest of his campaign events in South Carolina on Tuesday and everything scheduled for Wednesday.He is traveling to Omaha to be with Joplin's family when it arrives from Texas.Carson issued the following statement:"One of the precious few joys of campaigning is the privilege of meeting bright young men and women who are so enthusiastic about their country that they will freely give of their time and energy to work on its behalf. America lost one of those bright young men today. I had the privilege of knowing Braden Joplin personally, and am filled with a deep and profound sadness at his passing. While we mourn this profound loss, I am thankful that our other campaign colleagues, Drew McCall, Aaron Ohnemus and Ryan Patrick Shellooe, have all been treated and released from the hospital. "A presidential candidate asks a lot of his or her volunteers, working long hours in the cold, under-appreciated. They are the unsung heroes of the political process. The outpouring of support for Braden and his family from fellow candidates, as well as their staffs and volunteers, demonstrates that life will always transcend politics, and I thank them for their kind words. Please continue to keep Braden’s family and friends in your prayers as they struggle through this difficult time."Even after more than 30 years experience counseling parents and family members in the most difficult of times, it never gets easier. But I find solace in the knowledge of God’s redeeming grace, and I pray that Braden's family finds comfort in the mercy of the Lord. Across America today, I ask everyone to take a moment to reflect on the preciousness of life and remember and honor the memory of Braden Joplin."Carson said Wednesday that he's met few young adults who have as much love for their country as Joplin did.Joplin asked to be a volunteer for the campaign, writing Carson a personal letter. Carson said he didn't hesitate suspending his campaign Tuesday when he learned of the crash, and chartered flights to Omaha for himself and Joplin's family."It never gets any easier," Carson said. "Throughout all my years as a neurosurgeon, I had to deal with death many times. It never gets easier. He wrote a letter requesting to become a student volunteer. Just talking about his love for America. It was really very touching for a 25-year-old. On a personal level, he was just so caring. He would go and make sure that everyone was feeling right."