Johnnie Turner death: Kentucky state senator injured in lawn mower accident

Kentucky State Sen. Johnnie Turner, R-Harlan, has died, a month after a lawn mower accident at his home.

Turner, 76, died Tuesday evening from injuries he suffered in the Sept. 15 accident, Senate President Robert Stivers said in a statement. Kentucky State Police previously reported the mower fell into the deep end of an empty swimming pool. Turner was taken to Harlan ARH Hospital and later flown to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville.

"Over the past weeks, his remarkable resolve and strength filled the Turner family — and all of us — with optimism, making this loss difficult to bear," Stivers wrote.

Turner represented District 29 in eastern Kentucky since 2021 and was previously state representative from 1999-2002. Outside of the state legislature, Turner was an attorney and served as a medic in the U.S. Army from 1967-69.

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"Johnnie was truly one of the most fascinating people that I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing," State Sen. Phillip Wheeler, R-Pikeville, wrote in a Facebook post.

Gov. Andy Beshear also offered sympathies.

"Britainy and I are saddened by the news of Sen. Johnnie Turner’s passing," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "We send our condolences and prayers to his family and friends during this difficult time."

Turner was running unopposed for reelection following his opponent's withdrawal from the race.

Reach reporter Leo Bertucci at [email protected] or @leober2chee on X, formerly known as Twitter