According to his spokesman, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was involved in a car accident in Chattanooga, Tenn.
“This morning the governor was in a car accident while on his way to an event in Chattanooga, Tenn,” Bryan Griffin, a spokesman for Mr. DeSantis’ presidential campaign, said in a statement. “He and his team are unharmed. We appreciate the nation’s prayers and well wishes for his continued protection on the campaign trail.
A spokesman for the Chattanooga Police Department said Mr. DeSantis was driving on Interstate 75 Tuesday morning when traffic suddenly slowed, causing the lead vehicle to brake abruptly and cause a pileup.
Only vehicles from the governor’s motorcade were involved and police were called around 8:15 a.m., police spokesman Kevin West said.
“I don’t think they were going very fast,” Mr. West said.
He added that a female member of staff suffered what he described as “minor injuries” but was able to attend the event with Mr. DeSantis.
The campaign said the member of staff was “assessed on site by medical staff and cleared to leave.”
Lucy Pratt, who co-hosted the fundraiser at her home in Chattanooga, said Mr. DeSantis seemed in good spirits when he arrived. “We were happy that he arrived safely and that he was okay,” she said in a short phone interview. “He came and he talked to us and we had a wonderful morning.”
Mr. DeSantis was also scheduled to attend events in Knoxville and Franklin on Tuesday.
