OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Oregon Democrat Rep. Suzanne Bonamici has broken her silence after she and her husband were struck by a car and suffered injuries. She and her husband, U.S. District Judge Michael Simon, were hit by a car at a slow speed as they were crossing the street and the driver stayed on the scene and cooperated with authorities.
“Thank you to everyone for your well wishes, and to the first responders and health care workers who provided the care we needed. My husband and I are continuing to recover at home, and are grateful for your kind thoughts and support,” she said on Twitter.
Thank you to everyone for your well wishes, and to the first responders and health care workers who provided the care we needed. My husband and I are continuing to recover at home, and are grateful for your kind thoughts and support.
— Suzanne Bonamici (@RepBonamici) January 15, 2023
She went on, on Monday, to post a series of tweets celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
“As we celebrate the many hard-won victories for equity and justice, let’s recognize that we have much work to do. We are not there yet, but the ‘majestic heights’ that Dr. King envisioned for us are in view,” she said.
As we celebrate the many hard-won victories for equity and justice, let’s recognize that we have much work to do.
We are not there yet, but the “majestic heights” that Dr. King envisioned for us are in view.
— Suzanne Bonamici (@RepBonamici) January 16, 2023
“Now more than ever, we must continue to work together for equity, justice, and equality,” the representative said.
Now more than ever, we must continue to work together for equity, justice, and equality.
— Suzanne Bonamici (@RepBonamici) January 16, 2023
“There is a lot to reflect on this Dr. Martin Luther King Day. We are living in the midst of a pandemic, a gun violence epidemic, a climate emergency, and persistent inflation that all harm Black communities disproportionately,” she said.
There is a lot to reflect on this Dr. Martin Luther King Day.
We are living in the midst of a pandemic, a gun violence epidemic, a climate emergency, and persistent inflation that all harm Black communities disproportionately. pic.twitter.com/1eb08wI1tP
— Suzanne Bonamici (@RepBonamici) January 16, 2023
The driver has cooperated with police after striking the couple at a slow speed and no arrests have been made, The Daily Mail reported.
The couple is said to have suffered minor injuries including head lacerations.
The representative “and her husband were struck by a car Friday evening while were they walking across a street in a crosswalk. The incident occurred as they were leaving an event in Portland,” her communications director Natalie Crofts said on Twitter.
“She was treated for a concussion and laceration to her head. He was treated for minor injuries. She has been released from the hospital to recover at home.
“The Congresswoman is expected to make a full recovery, but will be unable to attend the town hall meetings in Clatsop and Tillamook Counties today and other public events while she heals,” she said.
The Congresswoman is expected to make a full recovery, but will be unable to attend the town hall meetings in Clatsop and Tillamook Counties today and other public events while she heals.
— Natalie Crofts (@njcrofts) January 14, 2023
Last month, tragedy struck a small town in Georgia, as the long-serving mayor and his wife were killed in a motor vehicle accident.
Reports quoting the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office said that Albert and Camilla Pallone were killed on Saturday after a pickup truck swerved into their lane and struck their vehicle. The couple was driving an SUV, the department noted. Albert Pallone was serving as the mayor of Emerson, a small community of around 1,400 people in Bartow County, which is located northwest of Atlanta.
“On Saturday our community suffered a tremendous loss with the passing of Mayor Al Pallone and his beloved wife, Millie,” City Manager Kevin McBurnett wrote on the town’s Facebook page. “Al and Millie have been a staple of the Emerson community for over 40 years.
“Al and I began working together in 2008 at city hall. Al was a proven leader serving the citizens of Emerson as a city councilman for 23 years with the last 15 years as Mayor. Millie was always near providing him support, the framework to his strong leadership,” McBurnett noted further.
11Alive reported:
The sheriff’s office said the driver of a Chevrolet pickup truck, identified 50-year-old William Bryan Abernathy, of Calhoun, lost control and crossed the center line, striking a Hyundai Santa Fe traveling in the opposite direction.
The driver of the Hyundai, the 65-year-old mayor, Albert Pallone, and his wife, Camillia Pallone, 69, died at the scene.
“Marty, the girls, and I were heartbroken to learn of the tragic death of Mayor Al Pallone and his wife, Camillia, last night. They will be deeply missed by their loved ones and the community that they served so well. Please join us in praying for their family during this time,” newly reelected Gov. Brian Kemp (R) noted in a tweet after hearing about the couple’s deaths.
Marty, the girls, and I were heartbroken to learn of the tragic death of Mayor Al Pallone and his wife, Camillia, last night. They will be deeply missed by their loved ones and the community that they served so well.
Please join us in praying for their family during this time.
— Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) December 11, 2022
Police said that when the Pallones’ SUV was struck by the pickup truck, it swerved out of control and overturned, and was subsequently hit by a GMC. The pickup also struck a Mazda, 11Alive reported.
“Abernathy was arrested and charged with DUI, reckless driving, first-degree vehicular homicide, and serious injury by vehicle. Abernathy was also injured and is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed local hospital,” the report continued, adding: “The driver of the Mazda 3 and the driver of the GMC Savanna were transported to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.”
Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) also shared a brief statement on Twitter after hearing the news.
This is devastating news for the city of Emerson and our state.
I’m thinking of the families of Mayor Al Pallone, his wife Camillia and the entire north Georgia community. https://t.co/X8yw7GKbv9
— Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (@SenatorWarnock) December 11, 2022
“This is devastating news for the city of Emerson and our state,” the senator, who also just narrowly won reelection, tweeted. “I’m thinking of the families of Mayor Al Pallone, his wife Camillia, and the entire north Georgia community.”
