This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

Katie Arrington, a South Carolina lawmaker who defeated US representative Mark Sanford in a Republican primary this month, has been seriously injured in a car crash in which one person was killed.



A spokesman for Arrington, Michael Mule, told news outlets the state representative from Summerville had undergone surgery and was recovering in a Charleston-area hospital. Arrington sustained a back fracture, Mule said, as well as several broken ribs. She had surgery to remove portions of her small intestine and colon.

Arrington would need more surgeries, Mule said, as well as a stent to repair the partial collapse of the primary artery in her legs. She would need to stay in hospital for two weeks. He told news outlets Arrington was alert and talking.

The Charleston county sheriff’s office said Arrington, 47, and a friend were traveling southbound on US Highway 17 around 9pm on Friday when a driver traveling in the wrong direction hit their vehicle.

Sheriff’s captain Roger Antonio said the other driver, who was not immediately identified, died at the scene. Authorities said the driver of the car in which Arrington was a passenger, 59-year-old Jacqueline Goff of Mandeville, Louisiana, also suffered serious injuries.

“Katie asks for your continued prayers for the deceased and the deceased’s family, as well as prayers for a quick recovery for Katie and her friend,” Mule said in a statement.

A statement on Arrington’s Twitter account said: “It is from her strong faith, the support of her family, the prayers and support of our community, and the incredible doctors and staff at the hospital that she is certain she will be back to work for our state soon.”

Arrington beat Sanford in a GOP primary earlier this month, after repeatedly highlighting the former governor’s criticism of Donald Trump. The president weighed in hours before polls closed, endorsing Arrington and denouncing Sanford as “nothing but trouble”.

On Saturday, the president tweeted: “My thoughts and prayers are with Representative Katie Arrington of South Carolina, including all of those involved in last nights car accident, and their families.”

Sanford posted a link to a story about the car crash on Twitter, writing: “Our thoughts and prayers this morning go to Katie Arrington, her family and those involved in last night’s automobile accident.”



The Democratic nominee who will face Arrington in November, Joe Cunningham, said he was suspending his campaign until further notice.