Carson campaign volunteer dies after car accident in Iowa
A volunteer for Ben Carson’s presidential campaign died Tuesday after being hospitalized with injuries suffered in a car accident in western Iowa that hurt three other campaign workers.
Carson was in South Carolina at the time of the Tuesday morning accident and suspended his campaign events.
An official for a hospital in Omaha, Neb., said the Carson campaign volunteer, 25-year-old Braden Joplin, died late Tuesday afternoon.
Campaign spokesman Jason Osborne said the crash occurred when a van carrying three Carson volunteers and a paid staffer flipped onto its side on an icy road and was hit by another vehicle. The others in the van were treated at a hospital in Atlantic, Iowa.
Carson posted a picture of himself and Joplin on Twitter Tuesday night, writing: “Rest In Peace Braden Joplin. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
Other presidential candidates from both parties, including Republican Jeb Bush and Democrat Martin O'Malley, also offered condolences on Twitter. And Democratic contender Bernie Sanders paid tribute at the beginning of a rally in Iowa City, Iowa.
“I have a lot of respect for any young person who gets involved in the political process,” Sanders said. “Our hearts go out to the family of the young man.”
We reflect on the preciousness of life and honor the memory of Braden Joplin. Read my full statement here: https://t.co/gPltYRjIqD
— Dr. Ben Carson (@RealBenCarson) January 20, 2016This story was originally published January 19, 2016 at 1:17 PM with the headline "Carson campaign volunteer dies after car accident in Iowa."