Texas

Rep. Ralph Hall Has Surgery After Wreck

Rep. Ralph Hall underwent surgery on Sunday after being injured in a car wreck.

The Texas Republican's office told NBC DFW that the 91-year-old's surgery on his hip was successful. He is expected to make a full recovery. 

"Congressman Hall is in good spirits and appreciates the thoughts and prayers of friends and colleagues. He will make a personal statement at a later time," said a statement from Ed Valentine in Rep. Hall's office.

On Saturday, Hall was being driven by friend Howard Zielke, 73, south on Texas 121 when 23-year-old Zachary Bohannon turned left in front of Hall's vehicle, Texas Department of Public Safety officials said. Hall and Zielke had just attended the Fannin County Parade.

Paramedics said Hall was conscious and joking with them as they airlifted him to Medical Center of Plano.

Zielke was taken to a McKinney hospital for undisclosed injuries, DPS officials said. There is no word yet on Bohannon's condition.

At 91-years-old, Rep. Hall is the oldest-ever member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

When he was a boy working in a pharmacy near Dallas, Hall had a brush with Bonnie and Clyde when they stopped to buy cigarettes.The notorious bank robbers later died in a a shootout with authorities.

Last May, Republican primary challenger John Ratcliffe defeated Rep. Ralph Hall in the first runoff he'd ever faced.

Stay with NBC 5 and NBCDFW.com for updates on this developing story.

Contact Us