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Family, friends flock to State Rep. Womble after crash

State Rep. Larry Womble (D-Forsyth) was in critical condition early Saturday after he was involved in a car crash in Winston-Salem that killed another driver.

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Larry Womble
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Family, friends and legislative colleagues worried and wished Saturday after State Rep. Larry Womble (D-Forsyth) was involved in a head-on collision Friday night.

Womble was hospitalized in critical condition and the other driver, David Allen Carmichael, 54, of 2767 Reynolds Park Road, died at the scene, Winston-Salem police said.

The accident happened around 11:00 pm Friday on Reynolds Park Road. Police have not determined who was at fault.

Womble has represented Forsyth County in the General Assembly since 1995. Before that, the retired teacher and principal served on the Winston-Salem Board of Aldermen from 1981 to 1993. 

During his nine terms in the General Assembly, Womble has advocated for compensation for victims of the state's eugenics program during the 20th century.

He was the primary sponsor of the 2009 Racial Justice Act, which allowed death row inmates to use racial statistics to show bias in sentencing. 

Rep. Deborah Ross (D-Wake) said Womble's gentle fighting spirit would pull him through.

"He's actually had some other hospitalizations since I've known him over the last ten years in the legislature, and he's always fought back," she said.

House Speaker Thom Tillis (R-Mecklenburg) issued a statement in support of Womble Saturday morning, saying, "My thoughts and prayers are with Rep. Womble and his family following this tragic accident. I am closely monitoring the situation, and will continue to do so. I know I speak for the other members of the General Assembly in saying that we will support Rep. Womble and his family in any way possible."

Gov. Bev Perdue also issued a statement, saying, "Bob and I send our thoughts and prayers to Larry Womble and his family, as we pray for his recovery and for strength and comfort for his family, as well as for the family of Mr. Carmichael."

 

 

 

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