Alabama state senator critically hurt in jet-ski crash

WAKA Action 8 News,

Posted: Jul 5, 2024 2:15 PM CDT

Updated: Jul 5, 2024 6:41 PM CDT

A crash involving two jet skis has left an Alabama state senator critically injured.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency says State Sen. Garlan Gudger, Jr., was involved in the crash, which happened at about 3:15PM Thursday, July 4, on Smith Lake in Cullman County, north of Birmingham.

Investigators say Gudger, 49, was on one jet ski when it was hit from behind by a jet ski being operated by his son, 21-year-old Garlan Gudger III. They were both thrown in the water. Investigators say both were wearing life jackets.

Others in the area got both men out of the water and took them to a dock.

State Sen. Gudger was flown to UAB Hospital in Birmingham for treatment. The younger Gudger was released at the scene.

The crash happened in the Little Crooked Creek area, also called Rock Creek, which is near Crane Hill in Cullman County.

Both men are from Cullman County. State Sen. Gudger represents Alabama Senate District 4, which includes Cullman, Winston and Marion counties. He was first elected in 2018.