A Kentucky legislator, State Sen. Johnnie Turner, was severely injured after his riding lawn mower accidentally fell into an empty swimming pool at his residence in Harlan. Currently, Turner is in critical but stable condition at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, according to Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers. The incident took place when Turner drove his mower into the deep end of the pool, as indicated by the Kentucky State Police who responded to the 911 call on Sunday evening just before 8 p.m. The specifics of how the accident occurred have not been provided by the authorities. Turner was initially taken to a local hospital before being transferred to UT Medical Center for further treatment.
No details regarding the injuries sustained by Turner have been released at this time. Stivers, in a statement, asked for prayers for Turner’s swift recovery. Turner, who is an attorney, represents various counties in eastern Kentucky and was elected to the state Senate in 2020 after defeating a Democratic incumbent with the same last name. Earlier this year, Turner triumphed over two opponents in the Republican primary and currently faces a challenge from an independent candidate in the upcoming November election. In the past, Turner served in the Kentucky House from 1999 to 2002.
A strong supporter of the coal industry, which was historically vital to the economy of eastern Kentucky, Turner has been advocating for its interests. Over the recent years, coal employment in Kentucky has experienced a significant decline due to factors such as lower natural gas prices and stricter environmental regulations that prompted a shift away from coal in the energy sector. The GOP-controlled Kentucky legislature is set to convene its 2025 session in January. In the meantime, legislators are participating in interim committee meetings to address various issues in preparation for the upcoming 30-day session next year.
