Tennessee State Representative Ron Gant was injured in a car wreck in Hardeman County Wednesday evening. According to the Hardeman County Sheriff’s Office, the two-vehicle accident happened on Highway 18 south at 6 p.m. One car reportedly crossed a lane of traffic and struck the other.
According to WKRBN News 2, one driver was pronounced dead. That driver has not been identified at this time. The sheriff’s office said Rep. Gant was airlifted to Regional One in Memphis.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating the accident. While THP could not say whether anyone was driving under the influence at the time of the crash, they did say they will be seeking blood tests and an autopsy.
Tennessee lawmakers have reacted on social media.
Cameron Sexton, Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives, also responded to the crash on Twitter, writing, “We are thankful for all the emergency personnel, physicians, and nurses who provided amazing care and comfort to him and his family.”
Senator Marsha Blackburn said in a Facebook post, “Please join me in praying for my friend, State Representative Ron M. Gant, who was in a serious car accident tonight. May God bring quick healing to Ron and comfort to his loved ones.”
Tennessee Caucus Chairman Jeremy Faison, “Prayers from the entire caucus tonight for @RonGant who was in a serious car accident. Ron is a fighter and we are with him.”
Ron M. Gant is an insurance agent and state representative from the state of Tennessee. A Republican, Gant has represented the 94th district of the Tennessee House of Representatives, based in Fayette and McNairy Counties, since 2017.
Gant was first elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives in 2016, after 94th district incumbent Leigh Wilburn resigned and interim appointee Jamie Jenkins declined to seek re-election. Gant easily won a three-way primary to fill the seat, and faced no significant general election opposition in the heavily Republican district. He has since been elected as Assistant Majority Leader in the chamber.
