ALEA releases details of Senator Gudger’s jet ski accident

Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, was injured Thursday afternoon on Smith Lake when the jet ski he was piloting was struck from behind by a jet ski driven by his son, Garlan Gudger III.

According to a press release from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, both men were wearing flotation devices and were thrown into the water.

The accident occurred around 3:15 p.m.

“Bystanders helped the two individuals out of the water and brought them to a nearby dock,” ALEA said in a statement Friday afternoon.

“(Senator Gudger) was evaluated by local EMS and then transported by helicopter to the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital for medical treatment. Garlan E. Gudger III was also evaluated by local EMS but released at the scene.”

According to a press release from the Alabama Senate, Senator Gudger was in intensive care late Thursday night after undergoing “a brief surgery to treat internal bleeding.” He sustained additional injuries that are being monitored.

According to sources, Senator Gudger was attentive and able to talk, the Alabama Daily News said.

The incident occurred in the Little Crooked Creek area, also known as Rock Creek, on Lewis Smith Lake near Crane Hill in Cullman County. No further information was available from ALEA as the Marine Patrol Division continues to investigate.

Gudger is in his second term in the Alabama Senate. He is chairman of the Committee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development.

His wife, Heather Gudger, thanked the first responders and medical staff who helped Gudger.

“…We want to express our deepest thanks and appreciation for each of them preventing a difficult situation from becoming even worse,” Heather Gudger said in a statement.

“To everyone across the state who has supported our family with their prayers for recovery and comfort, we feel your support and know that God holds Garlan in his healing hands. Anyone who knows Garlan knows that he is a strong, tough and energetic man who will recover from these injuries and continue to serve the citizens of his district while promoting the conservative Alabama values ​​that so many of us hold dear.”

Further details of the accident were not initially known late Thursday evening.

The Gudgers own Southern Accents, an architectural antiques retailer in Cullman. Garlan Gudger previously served on the Cullman City Council.