BY CARRIE HODOUSEK
CHARLESTON — U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin says his wife is doing well after being released from the hospital following a car crash last month in Birmingham, Ala.
Gayle Manchin, the federal co-chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission, was traveling with her colleague Guy Land on Jan. 29 when they were hit by a suspect fleeing from police just outside Birmingham.
Manchin and Guy were admitted to UAB Hospital to be treated for injuries for a few days following the crash. The two were on their way to attend an ARC grant workshop.
Sen. Manchin told MetroNews flagship station 580-WCHS in Charleston Wednesday the whole incident was “a miracle.”
“The good Lord was watching over her. She got T-boned,” he said. “She’s healing up, but she’s bruised up.”
Homewood, Ala., Police said the suspect was later arrested on felony charges.
The senator said the situation could’ve been much worse.
“They were chasing a criminal through the streets of Birmingham and the guy just ran through the light and hit them and hit right behind her door. If he hit her door, Lord knows we might not have her with us today, but it was just a miracle,” Manchin said. “I’m very thankful.”
The investigation into the crash continues.
