Reid Caring for Injured Wife, Daughter and Health Care Negotiations
EmailABC's Z. Byron Wolf reports: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D- Nevada, was splitting his time tonight between caring for his wife and daughter, seriously injured in a car crash Thursday in Washington DC , and late stage health care negotiations in the Senate. Reid’s wife Landra and daughter Lana were rear-ended by a semi-truck on a DC highway, according to Reid’s spokesman. They are being treated at a Washington area hospital.”Mrs. Reid has a broken nose, broken back and broken neck. Lana has a neck injury and facial lacerations. Both Mrs. Reid and Lana are conscious, can feel their extremities, and according to doctors their injuries are non-life threatening. Senator Reid has been to the hospital and appreciates the support he and his family are receiving from Nevadans and his colleagues in the Senate,” spokesman Jon Summers said today in a statement. After being at the hospital with his family, Reid returned to the Senate, another spokesman Jim Manley told reporters, to deal with "dramatic" developments in the closed-door health care meetings over the last 24 hours. Manley would not characterize those developments further. President Obama has said he wants Congress to vote on health reform legislation this month. Manley said Reid would return to the hospital after the meeting tonight. "He loves that woman more than life itself," said Manley. Reid and his wife, Landra, who was his high school sweetheart, have five children and 16 grandchildren.UPDATE: The semi-tractor-trailer truck driver from Ohio has been charged in the accident, which involved three vehicles, according to Virginia state police. Reid spokesman Jon Summers said that Reid's wife Landra is listed in serious condition, but his daughter Lana will be released tonight. He said Reid got the news in a phone call from a doctor at the hospital. The meeting at the Capitol is over. White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel told reporters upon leaving that it was a "very good meeting, a lot of progress."UPDATE: Virginia state police issued a statement saying that an Ohio man, Alan W. Snader, 59, has been charged with reckless driving in a four-vehicle crash that occurred Thursday afternoon around 1 p.m. The statement said the car Reid's wife and daughter were traveling in — a Honda Odyssey — was rear-ended by a tractor-trailer, and the impact forced their car to rear-end the vehicle in front, a Jeep Grand Cherokee. The Jeep was then forced into the next lane over, where it struck a Chevy Cobalt. Reid's wife and daughter, as well as the drivers of the Jeep and Chevy were all transported to the hospital via ambulance, according to the statement. None of the injuries were considered life-threatening, and every individual was wearing a seatbelt. Snader was not injured in the crash.
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I want to offer my prayers to Reid’s family and I hope they have a quick recovery. I totally oppose his views on healthcare and this reform bill but I certainly do not wish this accident on anyone’s family. May God heal your family quickly Harry.
Posted by: Rueuhy | March 11, 2010, 7:06 pm 7:06 pm
How fortunate it was no worse than it was.
I share Rueuhy’s opinions of the Senator Reid’s politics AND join him/her in prayers for a speedy recovery.
Posted by: malcat | March 11, 2010, 7:11 pm 7:11 pm
My prayers alone with Rueuhy and malcat are with the Reid family. I do not share their views on Mr. Reid politics but I stand with in prayer.
Posted by: tonyatq | March 11, 2010, 7:16 pm 7:16 pm
How very tragic for the Senator. Hopefully his wife and daughter will make a speedy recovery. We will keep them in our prayers.
Posted by: linda s. | March 11, 2010, 7:16 pm 7:16 pm
How typical of some Americans to turn this into a political issue. That is unconscionable. I wish Landra and Lana complete recoveries.
Posted by: Lex Thomas | March 11, 2010, 7:20 pm 7:20 pm
It is heartening to see that, notwithstanding political differences, people can join together in human feeling for another and his family. That’s America at its best. God Bless America.
Posted by: Scott | March 11, 2010, 7:23 pm 7:23 pm
My prayers are with the Reid family.
Posted by: Mark from atlanta | March 11, 2010, 7:28 pm 7:28 pm
My heart aches for you and your family. You each remain in my prayers. Speedy recovery – His strength is yours for the asking; His Love is ours without condition. I pray those who are your opposition will be gentle as you recover from the shock of terrible tragedy.
Posted by: Jim Lewis | March 11, 2010, 7:32 pm 7:32 pm
although, i don’t even know who he is, i believe that it is hard to face this kind of situation. it is tough. god bless you.
Posted by: ZENG | March 11, 2010, 7:46 pm 7:46 pm
Hope Reid’s family gets back on their feet soon. Sorry to hear about their traumatic accident.
God bless this family.
Posted by: Tanya | March 11, 2010, 8:04 pm 8:04 pm
My thoughts are with the Reid family and how stressed he must feel to feel he has to go back to work during this.
Posted by: secondlook | March 11, 2010, 8:05 pm 8:05 pm
I’m sure Pat Robertson will have something to say about this incident real soon.
Posted by: incog-nito | March 11, 2010, 8:10 pm 8:10 pm
Glad the Reid family will be ok. He’s a gutsy leader who actually reminds me of Harry Truman. He’s non-nonsense, gets right down to business and leads strong. He also has a very good heart and extraordinary political courage. He’ll always be remembered as one of the shepherds who brought health care justice to America.
Posted by: hopesprings52 | March 11, 2010, 8:18 pm 8:18 pm
Mr Reid,
Get your flipant rear end back to your wife and daughter. Even these injuries sound like they will in the end do well, but they need you NOW !!!
Love and Blessings
Posted by: Steve Riggs | March 11, 2010, 8:21 pm 8:21 pm
People tend to forget that car accidents are the number one cause of death and injury and the biggest threat to your personal safety. It’s a shame that it takes a high-profile name to be involved to get the media to report a story on one.
Posted by: Bert | March 11, 2010, 8:22 pm 8:22 pm
Strange that he is not at his families side. Very odd. I can’t imagine going about my business, if I were in the same situation.
Posted by: jonny | March 11, 2010, 8:46 pm 8:46 pm
Well wishes to the Reid family. Blessings to your Family Senator!!!!
Posted by: Arsenio Caraballo | March 11, 2010, 8:46 pm 8:46 pm
So sorry to learn of the accident. was the rain part of the involvment? It poured here in Fla. and it’s so hard to drive in that weather. I am really sorry for the Senator and his family. Prayers are being said for all the family especially for Mrs Reid and daughter.
Posted by: teemarker | March 11, 2010, 8:51 pm 8:51 pm
My prayers are with The Reid family, I was very sorry to hear this. Harry has worked so hard for everyone in the country for Healthcare….Now we must pray hard for his family that they recover and do well. Harry GOD is good trust him and pray hard…and he will help you all.
Love Carol and Frank Stanton
Posted by: Carol | March 11, 2010, 9:00 pm 9:00 pm
I am appalled that Michelle Lee could post such a crass message. No faith I know of would stoop so low. Shame on you. I am sure your mother taught you better.
Posted by: jane | March 11, 2010, 9:01 pm 9:01 pm
I hope they have healthcare.
Posted by: Brian | March 11, 2010, 9:03 pm 9:03 pm
why is Harry’s picture on your FRONT page off line???? Is that on purpose because if it is….it is disgraceful.
where is your compassion for his family.
Posted by: Carol | March 11, 2010, 9:05 pm 9:05 pm
My prayers are with Reid’s family.
It’s a shame that he has to spend time trying to convince some selfish people to vote so the rest of us get the same quality of health care that Senators and their families get.
Posted by: mkgd | March 11, 2010, 9:07 pm 9:07 pm
I hope your insurence is better than ours
Posted by: dmeeks | March 11, 2010, 9:27 pm 9:27 pm
My prayers and thoughts are with Senator Reid and his family.
Posted by: sara | March 11, 2010, 9:30 pm 9:30 pm
My thought and prayers go out to the Reid Family. I admire Mr. Reid for his dedication to the country while he is going through such a dificult time. I also respect his wife for she must have allowed him to leave and tend to the counrties business while she and their daughter are hurting and also need him. They are truely Great Americans.
Posted by: Angie from MN | March 11, 2010, 9:34 pm 9:34 pm
Best wishes to the Reid family along with my prayer for a speedy recovery for Landra and Lana. Get well soon.
Posted by: As I See It | March 11, 2010, 9:36 pm 9:36 pm
He should have been with his wife. She has put up with him for 50 years. She must be a saint. She is still a very beautiful woman. She deserved to have her husband by her side, but instead he went back to hang out with Naked Rahm.
Disgusting. These democrats are so corrupt they forget what is most important. Either they are lying about her condition, or this is the most insensitive man in the world.
I hope Mrs. Reid recovers and their daughter can afford another HONDA
Posted by: Karen | March 11, 2010, 9:39 pm 9:39 pm
If she’s over 65, maybe her care should be rationed so Senator Reid and his family can experience first hand what’s headed if he continues his unethical and immoral push for the obamanation health-care debacle.
Posted by: JR | March 11, 2010, 10:05 pm 10:05 pm
Harry, your family is receiving the finest medical care in the world thanks to a system that was built on the hard work of countless generations who never took a red cent from the government.
Posted by: Marko | March 11, 2010, 10:08 pm 10:08 pm
Harry, what a great champion you are. You are so fortunate to have such a loving wife and our prayers are with you.
Posted by: mark | March 11, 2010, 10:13 pm 10:13 pm
Our prayers are with your Family Mr Reid from the Aguillen,s IN Sachse TX.
Posted by: PRA53 | March 11, 2010, 10:13 pm 10:13 pm
Mr. Reid, your place is by your wife and daughter. THEY are what is important in life.
I hope they recover soon.
Posted by: disenchanted | March 11, 2010, 10:43 pm 10:43 pm
It is an outrage that Sen. Reid’s work is more important than his wife’s broken back and broken neck. Is he really so indispensible in Congress? She’s likely put up with his repeated absences for much of her marriage. But I suspect that unlike the majority of regular folks, she won’t have to worry about doctors and nurses being readily accessible to her — indeed, they will likely be at her beck and call, and bending over backwards to make her a priority. While I certainly feel sympathy for anyone in the unfortunate position of Sen. Reid’s wife, we can be sure that health care would be reformed immediately, if celebrities and other well-connected folks received the often substandard care that the rest of us must put up with, particularly in hospitals.
Posted by: Jack | March 11, 2010, 10:53 pm 10:53 pm
Panels established for the health care committe deciding who has insurance and who doesn’t get insurance, the democractic way of doing business in America. Yeah lets vote and get this thing passed, right away.
So was the driver of the truck on the phone? Were the drivers insured?
Talk about crass what about the Pelosi statement? It seems the mens room should be making another key or VIP pass for someone.
Posted by: c | March 11, 2010, 11:08 pm 11:08 pm
What an EXCELLANT way to show everyone the benefits of the new health care plan… somehow I bet Harry will choose the BEST over what’s offered to the REST OF US…..
Posted by: Steve C | March 11, 2010, 11:15 pm 11:15 pm
I would be very unhappy that my husband didn’t stay with him after such a terrible accident.
Posted by: Lu | March 11, 2010, 11:16 pm 11:16 pm
Ummm…. My wife BREAKS her back? I’m with her from the moment I hear of it, and would stay by her side till she recovered to a point that I HAD to at least shower.
Reid, you visited her for HOW LONG? Then rushed back to a meeting? How is your wife really feeling about this?
Posted by: Kevin | March 11, 2010, 11:27 pm 11:27 pm
Interesting that an American Senator’s family drives a foreign car instead of an American brand. And just think how union people vote for the Democrats…hmmm. Time to wake up.
Posted by: Jeff | March 11, 2010, 11:30 pm 11:30 pm
I am always sorry when a person is injured no matter how much I might dislike a relative(believe me-I think Harry Reid is a horrible American for helping destroy our country just so he can bow to the Master Obama) Best wishes for Mrs. Reid to get a speedy recovery and also I hope his daughter is fine.
Posted by: rockychance | March 11, 2010, 11:31 pm 11:31 pm
Sorry to hear about his family’s injuries.
And great — just what we need, more closed door meetings on a horrendous bill that should not be passed.
Posted by: JustMe | March 11, 2010, 11:47 pm 11:47 pm
Let’s hope fear doesn’t cause Reid to further weaken his efforts. We can’t let these criminals win the battle for reform.
Posted by: Tim Welsh | March 11, 2010, 11:53 pm 11:53 pm
I wish them well, heaven knows they have been through enough being related to Harry.
Posted by: Scott | March 12, 2010, 1:52 am 1:52 am
Be there for your wife and daughter Harry…
Posted by: trish | March 12, 2010, 2:25 am 2:25 am
your wife comes first!
Posted by: trish | March 12, 2010, 2:31 am 2:31 am
It’s nice to see that some people who oppose Senator Reid’s politics wish his family’s recovery. It’s too bad that they can’t see the contradiction between those sentiments. It would be nice if they had the same compassion for the millions who suffer and die without basic healthcare in the richest nation in history. Save some prayers for those victims. Political issue? This is a fundamental moral issue.
Posted by: Truth | March 12, 2010, 3:03 am 3:03 am
Well, at least he’s got the absolute best health insurance in the country covering them.
Imagine having this happen with NO health insurance. Far too many American families know exactly what that feels like.
Posted by: JaylahPriest | March 12, 2010, 4:53 am 4:53 am
My prayers are with him and his family.
Posted by: Ruler4You | March 12, 2010, 5:01 am 5:01 am
because of who she is we will never hear the truth.ask the truck driver what happened,my bet is she done something stupid in front of that truck and he had no choice but to hit her dumb ass.as a driver with 35 years exp. i see it all the time.people do stupid things around big trucks.
Posted by: steve | March 12, 2010, 5:10 am 5:10 am
To the entire Reid Family, my prayers are with you.
Posted by: able | March 12, 2010, 6:02 am 6:02 am
My GOD, you Republican “Religious Right’ need to rethink where you should be posting political rhetoric. I will be praying to my God that YOU may understand his hurt. May God belss the Reid Family members with speedy recoveries.
Posted by: able | March 12, 2010, 6:13 am 6:13 am
fortunate it was no worse than it was.
Posted by: Ilan Ben Menachem | March 12, 2010, 6:27 am 6:27 am
Come on Harry… show us how the ne health care plan works for your wife and daughter… you think it’s the best for all of the rest of us, so be a man and prove it with your OWN FAMILY
Posted by: Steve C | March 12, 2010, 6:38 am 6:38 am
Best wishes to everyone involved in the accident.
Posted by: Go Reid | March 12, 2010, 6:40 am 6:40 am
These people are in our prayers.
Posted by: JAB | March 12, 2010, 6:47 am 6:47 am
I’m always sorry to hear when someone gets hurt in a car wreck, but I hope he didn’t have health insurance and he finds out what it really cost to get better in this country! Maybe now we can get health care like in Canada and the rest of the world. Don’t believe the republican spin on it!
Posted by: roy_B | March 12, 2010, 7:13 am 7:13 am
i am with the others that hope and pray for the family’s recovery. i am a bit skepitcal when i saw abc’s ” “g.m.a.” show an animation of the accident and it was the lead story. i have some reservations that the dems were not behind making this a political story for the health care issue. i hope i am wrong , but i think the” spin”. is on to get any kind of support to pass the health care reform bill and to get coverage for sen. reid, who is in a tough race to keep his senate seat.
Posted by: wayne | March 12, 2010, 8:02 am 8:02 am
I hope the best for Mr Reid’s family. He should be spending time with his family instead of worrying about a health-care bill.
Posted by: Bobby | March 12, 2010, 8:05 am 8:05 am
Before you get too high and mighty. please remember all the horrible things said about Cheney when he had a heart attack. THAT was political AND cruel.
Posted by: reeree | March 12, 2010, 8:25 am 8:25 am
closed-door health care meetings
Posted by: sparky the second | March 12, 2010, 8:33 am 8:33 am
Couldnt happen to a dumber family. I will bet she doesnt even have a drivers license. God works in mysterious ways. This may be one of them too.
Posted by: Dave | March 12, 2010, 8:36 am 8:36 am
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 1 John 4:16
Our faith in Jesus Christ sustains all of us at times like these.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Sen. Reid’s family and the family in the Jeep and all others involved.
As previous posters said, we do not agree with his politics, but we come together as Americans in these situations.
Posted by: PFMinTN | March 12, 2010, 9:05 am 9:05 am
Perhaps sleazy Reid will take an undetermined time break from his astonishing leadership role in the Senate – TERM LMITS FOR SENATE & CONGRESS NOW !!!
Posted by: Jeff Gordon | March 12, 2010, 9:16 am 9:16 am
I’m so happy to see the update that his daughter is able to leave the hospital. I pray Mrs. Reid makes a speedy recovery.
I feel so sorry for Senator Reid; I’m sure he would prefer to be with his family. But I understand the pressure one feels when torn between work and family.
Posted by: malcat | March 12, 2010, 9:39 am 9:39 am
Much as I disagree with Harry’s political views, nobody should be happy about this. I do wish his family a speedy and full recovery. No job is worth more than your relationship.
Posted by: Debbie | March 12, 2010, 9:43 am 9:43 am
Our prayers and well wishes are extended to the Reid family in healing. Neck and back injuries are very hard to overcome, and lives will forever be changed from this irresponsible and attempted manslaughter driver. Rear end driving accidents must be stopped. Although the physicians have stated these injuries aren’t live threatening, they are live altering. The neck and back spasms that are to come for years on end, the endless pain that comes with this type of injury, and bone density will be forever fragile since disruption has occured.
Again, our prayers and well wishes, and hopefully those who commit such highway crimes toward innocent others must be reckoned with more than a “reckless” driving ticket. Get these terrible drivers off the roads and place them into prisons so they won’t hurt anyone else for years to come. Strip licenses, and make them wear GPS internal devices seeing their every move.
Posted by: Elle | March 12, 2010, 9:57 am 9:57 am
It is extremely rare for a semi to rear-end a car, semi drivers are some of the safest drivers out there – something is not right about this story. All the best to Reid and his family.
Posted by: GetReal | March 12, 2010, 10:18 am 10:18 am
Sen. Reid must be very torn. That closed door meeting had to be the most important of his political career because with the heartbreak of knowing his wife has a broken back, neck and nose, and having his daughter injured too, Why else would he return to Washington. I don’t envy his position and I am praying for his family.
Posted by: Beverly J Raffaele | March 12, 2010, 10:20 am 10:20 am
Hope his family will be well. By the way. he is no Harry Truman
Posted by: Jim Rod | March 12, 2010, 10:22 am 10:22 am
Sir, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I wish you the best and hope your wife and daughter have a speedy recovery. I disagree with you 99% of the time, but NO ONE should have to endure the suffering of a loved one. Best wishes to you and your family
Posted by: MCupp | March 12, 2010, 11:51 am 11:51 am
Sorry about your accident and best wishes for a full recovery. Rahm’s brother called and said since you’ve lived the majority of your life and can’t contribute to the well being of the nation anymore, all future care is cancelled. Expect a call from Obama; he’ll need the crashed Japanese vehicle to vilify Honda and promote Obama Motors. How can the Democrats offer prayers if they’re scum sucking godless
parasites?
Posted by: Texas Firefighter | March 12, 2010, 3:37 pm 3:37 pm
We need to nationalize transportation now!
Oh, we already have ….
(Condolences to Reid family)
Posted by: the Real | March 12, 2010, 3:41 pm 3:41 pm
Maybe Senator Reid could take this as a sign from above to “put the brakes” on his out of control plan to force feed our countrymen and women the health plan HE wants …., pause, reflect, rethink ! Heck Don’t rush, that causes accidents……Patience……our country deserves a better approach….and above all FREEDOM to chose if we want to be a part of it !
Posted by: Jon | March 12, 2010, 10:41 pm 10:41 pm
We are praying for the Reid family each day. Please know, Senator Reid, that you must take care of yourself and your family. God bless you all!!
Posted by: kevin | March 14, 2010, 8:34 pm 8:34 pm
A round of applause for the blog.Much appreciate it. Want more.
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