Car governor riding in was rear-ended
JEFFERSON CITY (AP) -- Update: Friday, Jan. 17 at 5:25 p.m.:
Governor Nixon was asked more questions Monday about his car accident that happend nearly two weeks ago. At a press conference following an MLK Day event the governor was asked why he wasn't wearing his seatbelt when he was rear ended.
Nixon said, "Well I should have been, I was in the back seat of the car, I was reaching down to my brief case which was on the other side in the back of the car and just at that time did not have the seatbelt on. I would recommend that all Missourians, including me, wear them where available because its a lot safer."
While he encourages Missourians to use seatbelts, state law didn't require the governor to have his seatbelt on in the backseat. The law only requires anyone under 15 years old to wear a seat while riding in the back of a vehicle.
Update: Friday, Jan. 7 at 5:25 p.m.:
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon says his neck is a little sore after he was involved in a traffic accident in the capital city.
Nixon was treated and released Friday from a hospital after the Highway Patrol car in which he was riding was rear-ended in a three-vehicle accident on U.S. Highway 50, just a few blocks from the Capitol. A patrol report says the governor was not wearing a seat belt.
Nixon continued with his regular schedule Friday. While in Adair County, Nixon told the Kirksville Daily Express: "My neck's a little sore."
The patrol says a vehicle driven by 18-year-old Donald Potter, of Holts Summit, struck another vehicle, which hit the patrol's 2007 Ford Crown Victoria. The patrol originally had said Nixon was in a Chevrolet Suburban.
Update: Friday, Jan. 7 at 2:30 p.m.:
Governor Nixon was not wearing a seatbelt in Friday morning’s crash according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report.
Under safety device for Gov. Nixon it lists “no.”
However, Nixon did not violate any laws. Nixon was in the backseat of the patrol car. According to Missouri seat belt laws, the driver and front seat passengers are required to buckle up. It also states anyone younger than 15 years old who is sitting in the backseat must wear a seatbelt.
Nixon suffered minor injuries in the wreck and went to Capital Region Hospital to get treated.
The trooper car he was in had about $1,500 in damage to the rear bumper and trunk.
According to the report, Donald Potter, 18, caused the chain-reaction wreck.
Update, Friday, Jan. 7 at 10:55 a.m.:
The Missouri State Highway Patrol says Nixon was a passenger in a Ford Crown Victoria driven by a patrol trooper that was rear-ended Friday morning in a three-vehicle accident. The patrol originally reported Nixon was in a Chevrolet Suburban. The crash occurred on U.S. Highway 50 in Jefferson City, just a few blocks south of the Capitol.
Nixon spokeswoman Christy Bertelson said it was standard procedure for the governor to be evaluated at a hospital after an accident. The patrol said the trooper also was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
Bertelson said Nixon was continuing with his schedule. He was to speak Friday at high schools in the northern Missouri community of Brashear and the St. Louis suburb of Ballwin.
Original Story:
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has been involved in a traffic accident.
The governor's office said Nixon was taken to a Jefferson City hospital, where he was treated and released, after the vehicle in which he was riding was rear-ended Friday morning in Jefferson City.
Nixon's office said the governor is continuing with his scheduled events for the day.
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