Senator from Kentucky hospitalized after lawnmower incident near Harlan

Kentucky State Senator Johnnie L. Turner was hospitalized Sunday evening after being injured while driving a lawn mower.

Turner, R-Harlan, drove the lawn mower into the deep end of an empty swimming pool at his home, said Kentucky State Police Trooper Shane Jacobs. He said state police were called just before 8 p.m. and went to the scene with local fire and EMS.

“Senator Johnnie Turner remains in critical but stable condition at the University of Tennessee Medical Center,” Senate President Robert Stivers said in a statement Monday morning. “I have been in contact with Johnnie's family, who are with him in the hospital.”

“The family asks for prayers for a speedy recovery.”

According to WRIL-FM, Turner lives in the Sukey Ridge area.

He was taken to Harlan ARH Hospital and then transported by helicopter to the University of Tennessee Medical Center, WYMT reported. The television station said his condition was stable.

Turner represents the 29th District, which includes Bell, Floyd, Harlan, Knott and Letcher counties.

Turner, 76, is a lawyer who has served in the state Senate since 2021, according to the Legislative Research Center. He served in the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2002.