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Tennessee Republican state Rep. Ron Gant was airlifted to a Memphis hospital late on Wednesday night after surviving a head-on collision with a driver in Hardeman County.
Sheriff John Doolen says that around 6 p.m., officers responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 18, just south of Hickory Valley.
“There was one fatality on the scene. Rep. Gant was flown to Regional One Hospital in Memphis. Tennessee Highway Patrol is leading this investigation. No further information about his condition or the accident has been released at this time. A family member of the deceased told ABC24 that one victim was killed as a result of the accident,” local ABC 24 reported.
Several lawmakers weighed in on social media following the news.
“On behalf of the TNGOP we are praying for Leader Ron Gant as he recovers from a serious car accident. Our thoughts and prayers go to him and his family. Prayers from the entire caucus tonight for Gant. Ron is a fighter and we are with him,” the Tennessee GOP Party said in a statement released to social media on Thursday morning.
“Sending prayers to me friend,” said Senator London Lamar.
Sending prayers to my friend @RonGant !!!!!
— Senator London Lamar (@SenatorLamar) October 6, 2022
Prayers for my good friend and colleague @RonGant . Please keep him in your prayers.
— Representative John Gillespie (@GillespieVote) October 6, 2022
Tennessee Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn tweeted: “Please join me in praying for my friend, @RonGant, who was in a serious car accident tonight. May God bring quick healing to Ron and comfort to his loved ones.”
Please join me in praying for my friend, @RonGant, who was in a serious car accident tonight.
May God bring quick healing to Ron and comfort to his loved ones.
— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) October 6, 2022
Sheriff John Doolen says that around 6 p.m., officers responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 18, just south of Hickory Valley. There was one fatality on the scene. https://t.co/guUev1CTmi
— Action News 5 (@WMCActionNews5) October 6, 2022
Earlier this week, Kentucky Republican Sen. C.B. Embry passed away just days after stepping down from the General Assembly.
Auditor Mike Harmon confirmed Embry’s death in a statement.
“I’m saddened to learn of the passing of former State Senator and State Representative C.B. Embry. C.B. made a lifelong commitment to being a servant leader, driven by his faith, his family, and his love of our great Commonwealth,” his statement said, in part.
Kentucky Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell said in a statement: “Elaine and I are heartbroken to learn of the loss of my good friend C.B. Embry. For more than fifty years, until just this week, he dutifully served the people of Kentucky as Mayor, County Judge-Executive, State Representative, and State Senator. I join with the chorus of Kentuckians he touched throughout his long career in mourning his loss.”
The Republican lawmaker from Morgantown submitted his resignation letter last week to Senate President Robert Stivers amid his battle with cancer.
Embry was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives in 2002. He was then elected to the Senate in 2014 and has served on several committees, including his current position as chair of the Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection Committee.
Over the last 50 years, the Republican lawmaker has been elected 12 times to five different public offices.
Earlier this year, Embry announced he planned to step down due to a long battle with cancer. The Republican would undergo cancer treatment during legislative sessions so he was able to cast votes and uphold his duty to his constituents.
“It has been an honor of a lifetime to serve the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the good of the people of District 6,” Embry said in his resignation letter. “During my time in the Senate, I can truly say that I and my colleagues worked each day to make Kentucky an even greater state.”
“C.B. Embry is the epitome of a committed public servant who traveled back and forth to Frankfort, scheduling his treatments around our floor and committee activity, @kysenatepres Robert Stivers said.
🧵⬇️ pic.twitter.com/oVLRw20Eyn
— KY Senate Majority (@KYSenateGOP) September 26, 2022
In a statement, Senate President Stivers called Embry “the epitome of a committed public servant”, while House Speaker David Osborne called him an “indomitable advocate for the people of his district.”
“C.B. is the very definition of a servant leader, guided by his faith to be an indomitable advocate for the people of his district,” Osborne said. “That same faith has made him an inspiration as his commitment to family and service has not waivered during this long and arduous battle with cancer. I wish he and Wanda the very best and the comfort of knowing that they are both leaving here after a job well done.”
“While I am saddened to learn that Senator Embry has resigned, I respect his decision as I respect him for his lifelong commitment to bettering our commonwealth,” Osborne said. “It was an honor to serve with him in the House and a privilege to work with him after he was elected to the Senate.”
