Former US Rep. Allen West Leaves Texas Hospital After Motorcycle Crash
WACO, Texas (CBSDFW.COM/AP) — Former Florida U.S. Rep. Lt. Col. Allen West was released from a Texas hospital Monday after suffering a concussion, several fractured bones and cuts in a motorcycle crash, according to a a post on his Facebook page.
West, who is running for chair of the Republican Party of Texas, was driving back from a rally in Austin focused on reopening the state amid the coronavirus pandemic when the crash happened Saturday.
Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Ryan Howard said in an email that troopers responded to a crash on Interstate 35 in West at about 5 p.m. Saturday.
He said an unidentified vehicle had unsafely changed lanes in front of two motorcyclists. He said one of the motorcyclists tried to break and the rear motorcyclist crashed into the front motorcyclist.
He said both motorcyclists were taken to a hospital in Waco to be treated for injuries that weren't life-threatening.
Allen's campaign manager, Lisa Hendrickson, said West was the motorcyclist in front in the DPS description of the accident.
West, a Republican, moved from Florida to Texas after leaving Congress in 2013. He served one term and once called for then-President Barack Obama's impeachment.
Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush tweeted about the crash Saturday, saying "Just heard the news that @AllenWest was involved in a motorcycle accident near Waco this afternoon. Please join me in sending prayers for a quick recovery. #PrayersForAllen"
(© Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
