Ohio Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur was admitted to a hospital Sunday morning following a collision involving her vehicle, which occurred when another driver struck her car and fled the scene near Toledo. Her office and local police confirmed she sustained injuries that are not considered life-threatening. The 80-year-old Democrat was on her way to a church service when the wreck occurred, and her driver was also injured.
Ben Kamens, a spokesperson for Kaptur, said the congresswoman was a passenger when the car she was traveling in was struck. In a statement to reporters, Kamens said she remained "active, alert" and was receiving medical care for her injuries.
What Police Have Confirmed
According to Sgt. Mohamad Nasser of the Toledo Police Department, two individuals were taken to the hospital following the "hit-skip crash." A police investigation into the incident remained ongoing, Nasser said, and no arrest had been announced.
The department did not release additional details about the vehicle that fled the scene or the sequence of events leading to the collision. Kaptur’s office confirmed the crash happened Sunday morning as she headed to worship.
One of Congress’ Longest-Serving Members
Kaptur has served in the House of Representatives for more than four decades. After winning her initial election to represent Ohio’s 9th District in 1982, she took office the next year and has held the position continuously ever since, making her one of the chamber’s most senior members.
Her district has become a perennial battleground. President Donald Trump carried the 9th District in both 2020 and 2024, and Republicans routinely place the seat near the top of their target list. Kaptur is running for re-election and narrowly held on in 2024, winning by less than 1 percentage point.
That razor-thin margin underscored how competitive the northwest Ohio district has grown, even for an incumbent with Kaptur’s longevity and name recognition. The seat is expected to draw significant national attention again in the coming cycle.
Support Pours In From Both Parties
News of the crash prompted an immediate outpouring of support from lawmakers across the political spectrum, a rare moment of unity in a deeply divided Congress. Colleagues from both parties took to social media to wish Kaptur a swift recovery and to urge that whoever fled the scene be found.
Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., said he was praying for his colleague and hoped she would be restored to full health quickly. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., called the crash horrible and expressed hope that the person responsible would be located soon.
Rep. Dave Taylor, an Ohio Republican, added his own message of support, saying his thoughts were with Kaptur after learning of the morning crash in Toledo and that he and his wife were wishing her a speedy recovery. The bipartisan response reflected the respect Kaptur has accrued over her long career, even amid the sharp partisan contest for her district.
As of the most recent statements from her office and the Toledo Police Department, Kaptur was reported to be recovering, and the investigation into the hit-and-run had not resulted in any publicly announced charges. Neither authorities nor her staff detailed the extent of the driver’s injuries or how long the congresswoman was expected to remain hospitalized.
The incident marks an alarming brush with danger for one of the House’s most senior figures, and it leaves open questions that only the ongoing police investigation may answer — chief among them, the identity of the driver who left the scene. For now, Kaptur’s condition appears stable, and colleagues on both sides of the aisle are awaiting further word on her recovery.