Yesterday we received sad news from the campaign trail that a campaign volunteer with Dr. Ben Carson, Braden Joplin, died from injuries sustained during car accident while heading to a campaign event.
A van transporting three campaign volunteers and a Carson campaign employee hit a patch of ice and flipped on its side where it was struck by another vehicle in Cass County. Joplin was transported to the trauma center at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, NE. The other passengers — Drew McCall, a field director for the campaign, and volunteers Aaron Ohnemus and Ryan Patrick Shellooe were transported to Cass County Memorial Hospital and later released.
The University of Nebraska Medical Center said Joplin died at 4:30p on Tuesday afternoon.
Rest In Peace Braden Joplin. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. pic.twitter.com/p87TCnD44p
— Ben & Candy Carson (@RealBenCarson) January 20, 2016
Carson cancelled his campaign events and headed to Omaha to be with Joplin’s family, he released the following statement:
One of the precious few joys of campaigning is the privilege of meeting bright young men and women who are so enthusiastic about their country that they will freely give of their time and energy to work on its behalf. America lost one of those bright young men today. I had the privilege of knowing Braden Joplin personally, and am filled with a deep and profound sadness at his passing. While we mourn this profound loss, I am thankful that our other campaign colleagues, Drew McCall, Aaron Ohnemus and Ryan Patrick Shellooe, have all been treated and released from the hospital.
A presidential candidate asks a lot of his or her volunteers, working long hours in the cold, under-appreciated. They are the unsung heroes of the political process. The outpouring of support for Braden and his family from fellow candidates, as well as their staffs and volunteers, demonstrates that life will always transcend politics, and I thank them for their kind words. Please continue to keep Braden’s family and friends in your prayers as they struggle through this difficult time.
Even after more than 30 years experience counseling parents and family members in the most difficult of times, it never gets easier. But I find solace in the knowledge of God’s redeeming grace, and I pray that Braden’s family finds comfort in the mercy of the Lord. Across America today, I ask everyone to take a moment to reflect on the preciousness of life and remember and honor the memory of Braden Joplin.
Candidates on both sides of the aisle responded to the news:
I'm so sorry to hear about this terrible tragedy. My heart goes out to Braden's family and colleagues. -H https://t.co/zqI0JBfiJ5
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) January 20, 2016
Saddened to hear that Braden Joplin, the 25-year-old Ben Carson volunteer in Iowa car crash today, has passed away. Praying for his family.
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) January 20, 2016
Prayers tonight for the family of the young @RealBenCarson volunteer who passed away tonight. Our hearts go out to them and we lift them up
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) January 20, 2016
Our thoughts & prayers are with @realbencarson’s campaign staff, volunteers, & the Joplin family tonight after a terrible loss.
— O'Malley for Iowa (@omalleyforia) January 20, 2016
Praying for the family of the young Ben Carson volunteer, Braden Joplin, who was killed in a tragic car crash in IA. A life taken too soon.
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) January 20, 2016
Prayers goes out to Braden's family and @RealBenCarson Campaign. Tragedies like today are heartbreaking. God bless all of you!
— Rick Santorum (@RickSantorum) January 20, 2016
Saddened by the loss of one of @RealBenCarson's team members. Prayers for his family & everyone out campaigning. -John
— John Kasich (@JohnKasich) January 20, 2016
Ted Cruz retweeted Jake Tapper’s tweet:
RIP Braden Joplin
so sad. Only 25. Thoughts and prayers with his family and @RealBenCarson campaign pic.twitter.com/QQdxp7vR1z
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) January 20, 2016
On behalf of Caffeinated Thoughts contributors I offer our condolences to the Joplin family and will pray for his family and the Carson campaign in the midst of this tragic loss.