Arrington listed as critical but stable

Katie Arrington listed as critical but stable after multiple surgeries

By BRENT D. GRIFFITHS

South Carolina congressional candidate Katie Arrington was listed in critical but stable condition Sunday after a car accident Friday night that left one person dead. Her campaign said that despite the significant injuries she sustained in the wreck, she is not expected to have any lasting neurological issues going forward.

Arrington's campaign said in a statement that the doctors expect her to be out of bed and walking in the next few days. She will remain hospitalized for the next two weeks and may still require one more surgical procedure, which the statement described as "minimal."

On Sunday, according to the statement, Arrington underwent two major surgeries. The first was an operation that complemented the initial surgery she underwent Friday night on her abdomen. The second surgery was for a spinal fracture, which went "very well and with no complications."

Almost two weeks ago, the Republican state representative defeated Rep. Mark Sanford in the primary for the GOP nomination in the state's 1st District. She received the last minute support of President Donald Trump in the race, who joined a number of well wishers in tweeting their prayers for her over the weekend.

"My thoughts and prayers are with Representative Katie Arrington of South Carolina, including all of those involved in last night‘s car accident, and their families," the president wrote on Twitter on Saturday.

Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) visited her in the hospital, the Medical University of South Carolina, on Saturday. Through a spokeswoman, he said that Arrington was a "fighter" and that he has "no doubt she will bring that same resilience and determination on her path to recovery." Scott was to address reporters on her behalf at the hospital on Monday morning.

Arrington was a passenger in a car on Friday night that was struck by a vehicle that was heading the wrong way toward Hilton Head Island on U.S. Highway 17. On Saturday, she was described as being seriously injured, sustaining broken ribs and a fracture in her back, among other injuries. "As we all know, Katie Arrington is an extremely strong woman and has tremendous faith and an incredibly supportive family," her Twitter account said Saturday.

The driver in the other car, Helen White, 69, of Ravenel, was killed in the crash, according to a Post and Courier report. The other person in Arrington’s car was identified as Jacqueline Goff from Louisiana. The report did not indicate what Goff's status currently is.

Joe Cunningham, her Democratic opponent, said Saturday that he would stop campaigning “until further notice.”

Her campaign said that Arrington's family is very grateful for the outpouring of support.

"Katie’s family is extremely humbled and grateful for the outpouring of prayers and support, as they know the prayers have been an extremely important part of this healing," the statement read. "They respectfully ask for continued prayers, including that of support for the family of Helen White, prayers of thanksgiving for the medical staff treating Katie and Jackie Goff, and prayers for continued improvement for both Katie and Jackie."