The son of U.S. Rep. Tom Graves was critically injured Sunday morning while competing in a road race with Georgia Tech’s club cycling team.
Graves, the most senior Republican in Georgia’s House delegation, issued a statement Monday morning on his son’s injury. John Graves was flown to a trauma unit, where he remains in intensive care, the congressman said.
On Tuesday, Graves said his son suffered severe head trauma and had multiple areas of bleeding on his brain but was responding “extremely well” to treatment and care.
“John's strength is returning and he's showing improved signs of responsiveness and beginning to ask questions,” Graves said Tuesday. “We are thankful for these positive developments as John continues with his recovery. Thank you for all of the well wishes and prayers. They are so appreciated.”
Tech's club cycling team was hosting a road race and criterium, a high-speed cornering race, in Gordon County over the weekend. According to the Calhoun Fire Department, crews were called to assist paramedics about 11 a.m. Sunday after two race participants were injured on South Park Avenue.
No details about the other racer’s injuries were available for release, Deputy Chief Terry Mills told AJC.com.
“This morning we learned that two Georgia Tech students, John Graves and Juan Barraza, were injured during a cycling race over the weekend,” Tech spokesman Joshua Stewart said Monday in a statement. “We express our support to John and Juan and their families during this difficult time and wish them both a speedy and full recovery.”
In December, Graves announced his decision not to run for reelection this year. The Gordon County resident said he wanted to spend more time with his wife and children.
"With Julie near retirement and my kids now suddenly adults, I have decided not to seek reelection in 2020, and instead, join my family in their new and unique journeys," he wrote in a letter to his constituents.
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