Katie Arrington, SC Rep. Who Upset Mark Sanford, Injured In Crash

Katie Arrington, a South Carolina state representative who recently defeated U.S. Rep. Mark Sanford in the Republican primary for the state's first Congressional district, was hospitalized after being seriously injured in a wrong way fatal crash Friday night.

Arrington was traveling with a friend to Hilton Head and was struck by a wrong-way driver on Highway 17, according to a statement posted to her campaign Facebook page. She was the passenger in the car.

Arrington will remain hospitalized for the next two weeks, the statement said. She suffered a fracture to her back, several broken ribs and injuries that required her to undergo major surgery. According to the statement, Arrington had to have a portion of her small intestine and colon removed. She will also need further surgery.

An update from her campaign Saturday afternoon said she was in critical but stable condition and will undergo another major surgery on Sunday.

According to WCBD, the woman Arrington was traveling with was also taken to the hospital with serious injuries. The pair were traveling to Hilton Head where Arrington was going to receive an award from a state medical organization Saturday morning.

The Charleston County Sheriff's Office said the crash happened around 9 p.m. on the southbound side of the highway in Adams Run. The driver of the other vehicle was killed at the scene, WCBD reported.

Arrington received the support of President Donald Trump in her primary challenge to Sanford. She ousted the incumbent who had been critical of the president.

Trump tweeted that his thoughts and prayers were with Arrington and everyone else involved in the crash as well as their families.

Sanford offered his condolences to Arrington.

"As we all know, Katie Arrington is an extremely strong woman and has tremendous faith and an incredibly supportive family," the statement from Arrington's campaign said. "And it is from her strong faith, the support of her family, the prayers and support of our community, and the incredible doctors and staff at the hospital that she is certain she will be back to work for our state soon.

"As her family asked last night, Katie asks for your continued prayers for the deceased and the deceased's family, as well as prayers for a quick recovery for Katie and her friend."

Other politicians in the state, including South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster and Arrington's opponent in the November general election, Joe Cunningham, offered their support to Arrington. Cunningham also said he is suspending all campaign activities till further notice.

Photo via S.C. Statehouse