UPDATE: Jan. 31, 8:20p: Mrs. Manchin has been released from the hospital.
UPDATE: Police in Homewood, Alabama released a statement Tuesday evening about the wreck, saying the car that struck the vehicle that Gayle Manchin was in was actually being chased by police at the time.
“On the afternoon of January 29, 2024, Homewood Police initiated a pursuit involving a suspect wanted on felony charges. Units pursued the vehicle through North Birmingham onto 18th Street North. Our units lost contact with the suspect vehicle in the 1300 block of 18th Street North. Our officers continued on 18th Street North where they subsequently observed that the suspect vehicle had apparently collided with another vehicle at the intersection of 18th Street North and 15th Avenue North.
The driver was apprehended without incident. Medics were requested for the two occupants of the other involved vehicle. BFRS responded to the scene and the driver and a passenger from the other involved vehicle were treated and subsequently transported to UAB Gardendale. Both were later transported to UAB’s downtown campus and are currently in stable condition.
The Homewood Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division is currently investigating this case and is in the process multiple felony warrants against the suspect. The suspect is currently being held at the Homewood City jail pending warrants.
This afternoon, the Homewood Police Department was notified that one of the injured occupants was the wife of United States Senator Joe Manchin. This investigation is ongoing and the Homewood Police Department will provide updates as they become available”
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Joe Manchin announced Tuesday that his wife, Appalachian Regional Commission federal co-chair, Gayle Manchin was involved in a car wreck in Alabama on Monday.
The senator’s full statement:
Today, Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) released the following statement on Federal Co-Chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission Gayle Manchin’s health after a car accident in Birmingham, Alabama
“On Monday, my wife Gayle and her colleague Guy Land were involved in a car accident on the way from the airport to the hotel in Birmingham, Alabama for an Appalachian Regional Commission event that was planned for today. Both were admitted to UAB Hospital and are receiving excellent care. She remains in stable condition but will stay there for a couple of days for precautionary measures. We want to thank the first responders who answered the call and were first on-site to provide assistance and support.”
A statement from the ARC said the vehicle Manchin and Land were in was struck by another vehicle. They were scheduled to attend a grant workshop.
Fellow U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito also issued a statement:
“Charlie and I are thinking about our friends Gayle Manchin and Guy Land as they recover from a car accident. We hope for a speedy recovery and are thankful for the quick action of first responders.”