State Senator Garlan Gudger injured in jet ski accident on Smith Lake, flown to UAB hospital

Alabama State Senator Garlan Gudger was flown to UAB Hospital Thursday after being injured in a jet ski accident on Smith Lake, officials say.

Gudger underwent surgery for internal bleeding and other injuries that are currently being monitored by doctors, according to a statement from the Alabama State Senate.

He is in intensive care, but “his doctors believe the prognosis for his recovery is good,” the press release said.

Gudger’s wife Heather issued the following statement:

“To the first responders who quickly arrived on the scene, to the members of the Helicopter Air Transport Unit, to the doctors and nurses at UAB and to everyone else who assisted in this accident, we extend our deepest thanks and appreciation to each of them for preventing a difficult situation from becoming even worse.”

“To everyone across the state who has reached out to our family with prayers for recovery and comfort, we feel your support and know that God holds Garlan in His healing hands.”

“Anyone who knows Garlan knows 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.”

According to a biography on the Alabama Senate Republicans website, the Republican from Cullman was elected to the state Senate in 2018.

Since no Democrat ran for the office in 2018, Gudger defeated a two-term incumbent in the Republican primary to win the seat. Gudger was re-elected unopposed in 2022.

Previously, Gudger became the youngest person ever elected to the Cullman City Council in 2004. He served on the council for 14 years, including 10 years as council president.

Gudger is also the owner of Southern Accents Architectural Antiques, an architectural salvage company in Cullman.