Leaders discuss Alabama state Sen. Garlan Gudger after jet ski crash

MONTGOMERY, Ala. ( WHNT ) — State Sen. Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman) was airlifted to UAB Hospital after a jet ski crash on Smith Lake Thursday.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency stated Gudger was on a jet ski when he was struck from behind by Garlan Gudger III, who was also on a jet ski. Gudger III is his son.

Dot Gudger, the state senator’s mother, wrote in a Facebook post her son had surgery on his spleen but also has broken ribs and a chipped vertebra.

“Garlan and his wife Heather have been in our prayers ever since we were notified about the accident,” state Sen. Tom Butler (R-Madison) said. And we wish him well — speedy recovery — and no long-term effects from his accident.”

CBS 42 political analyst Steve Flowers knows Gudger and the work he has done as an Alabama senator.

“He passed some major legislation this year, but he’s a team player,” Flowers said. “And he works across the aisle, too. He’s well thought of by everybody in the Senate. Just a friendly guy. Just a well thought of guy.”

Butler said that everyone in the Senate is uniting in prayer.

“Garlan is a great leader for Cullman County,” Butler said. “He does a great job in the Senate and in the legislature. He couldn’t be in a better place than at UAB right now.”

Gov. Kay Ivey said in a statement she is also praying for Gudger to have a speedy recovery.

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