News

Carson volunteer in car crash has died

by Rebecca Savransky - 01/19/16 7:56 PM ET

A volunteer for Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson’s campaign who was involved in a crash on an icy road in Iowa Tuesday has died, according to a press release from Nebraska Medicine.

Braden Joplin, 25, was brought to Nebraska Medical Center’s trauma center in critical condition following the crash. Joplin died just after 4:30 p.m. local time.

{mosads}Three other passengers were in the van at the time of the crash. All three were treated and released from a hospital in Atlantic, Iowa.

The crash happened when the van hit a patch of ice and flipped on its side before it was hit by another vehicle.

Carson canceled all South Carolina campaign events Tuesday after hearing about the crash. He temporarily suspended his campaign and traveled to Omaha.

Carson plans to meet with Joplin’s family members to offer his condolences.

Carson on Tuesday evening released a statement saying he knew Joplin personally and is “filled with a deep and profound sadness at his passing.”

“One of the precious few joys of campaigning is the privilege of meeting bright young men and women who are so enthusiastic about their country that they will freely give of their time and energy to work on its behalf,” he said in the statement. “America lost one of those bright young men today,”

Carson said he is thankful the three other people involved in the crash have been treated and released. He called campaign volunteers the “unsung heroes of the political process.”

“The outpouring of support for Braden and his family from fellow candidates, as well as their staffs and volunteers, demonstrates that life will always transcend politics, and I thank them for their kind words,” he said.

He said he will continue to pray for Joplin’s family and asks that everyone across America remember and honor his memory.

Carson tweeted a photo of himself with Joplin:

Rest In Peace Braden Joplin. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. pic.twitter.com/p87TCnD44p

— Dr. Ben Carson (@RealBenCarson) January 20, 2016

A number of other presidential candidates posted on social media to express condolences to Joplin’s family:

Saddened to hear that Braden Joplin, the 25-year-old Ben Carson volunteer in Iowa car crash today, has passed away. Praying for his family.

— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) January 20, 2016

I'm so sorry to hear about this terrible tragedy. My heart goes out to Braden's family and colleagues. -H https://t.co/zqI0JBfiJ5

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) January 20, 2016

Prayers tonight for the family of the young @RealBenCarson volunteer who passed away tonight. Our hearts go out to them and we lift them up

— Dr. Rand Paul (@RandPaul) January 20, 2016

Volunteers like Braden Joplin are the heart and soul of the democratic process. Our thoughts are with his family. https://t.co/FYyNrSJzwa

— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) January 20, 2016

Some events remind us just how unimportant politics can be. One of those happened today. Praying for the @RealBenCarson campaign family.

— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) January 20, 2016

Our thoughts & prayers are with @realbencarson’s campaign staff, volunteers, & the Joplin family tonight after a terrible loss.

— O'Malley for Iowa (@omalleyforia) January 20, 2016

Praying for the family of the young Ben Carson volunteer, Braden Joplin, who was killed in a tragic car crash in IA. A life taken too soon.

— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) January 20, 2016

Prayers goes out to Braden's family and @RealBenCarson Campaign. Tragedies like today are heartbreaking. God bless all of you!

— Rick Santorum (@RickSantorum) January 20, 2016

Saddened by the loss of one of @RealBenCarson's team members. Prayers for his family & everyone out campaigning. -John

— John Kasich (@JohnKasich) January 20, 2016

– Updated at 10:50 p.m.

Tags Ben Carson