The crash was the latest example of Fetterman’s dangerous driving, according to public records and people familiar with the matter. Pennsylvania state records show he had received two speeding tickets, one in 2016 and one in March, for going more than 24 miles per hour over the speed limit. After this year’s ticket, he The state required him to take a driver-improvement course because he was going 34 mph over the speed limit, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Neither record says where he was driving or how fast he was going.
Aides said Mr. Fetterman would text and FaceTime while driving, sparking fears among staff about riding with him, three people familiar with the matter said. The discussions were shared by staff who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal conversations.
Fetterman’s aides refrain from texting while driving when they know he is behind the wheel for fear of being responded to, according to three people familiar with the matter. One aide asked not to be asked to ride with Fetterman after witnessing his dangerous driving, the person said. That concern prompted the recently introduced informal practice. According to a person familiar with the matter, there is a company policy that aides are not allowed to ride in the car when Fetterman is driving.
“It’s not safe,” said a person who knows Fetterman’s driving.
When asked by The Washington Post about the Fetterman driving allegation, a spokesman for Fetterman called it “hearsay and inaccurate” and declined to provide any details.
Fetterman said in a statement that he would drive more slowly in the future.
“This was an unfortunate accident on Sunday. I am relieved and thankful that no one was seriously injured,” he said. “I’ve been driving for nearly 40 years and have had a few tickets. I’ve been held accountable when I’ve been speeding. I need to drive better and drive slower, and I will.”
A person familiar with the accident said the front of his Chevrolet Traverse sustained extensive damage in Sunday’s crash. Both vehicles were towed from the scene due to “disabling damage,” according to police reports.
his The office did not respond to questions. It’s unclear why the accident happened or whether Fetterman was distracted by his cell phone when it happened: The police report states the person was “not distracted” and lists “unknown” under “Cause of Distraction” for Fetterman.
The 6-foot-8 freshman senator, who suffered a stroke during the campaign and was hospitalized for depression soon after arriving in Washington, is an unusual presence on Capitol Hill. He has stirred up debate over the Senate’s dress code by wearing his trademark hoodie at official events and on Capitol Hill. He has made waves by heckling Sen. Robert Menendez (D-Jersey), urging him to retire as he faces federal corruption charges, and by clashing with left-wing activists who disagree with his staunch support for Israel’s invasion of Gaza after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack.
During his two years as Pennsylvania lieutenant governor, Mr. Fetterman hired security guards to drive him around the state, but as a senator, he often drives himself, particularly in Pennsylvania, people familiar with his travels say, and he drives himself for much of the trip between his hometown of Braddock, Pennsylvania, and Washington.
According to Maryland State Police, the crash this week happened Sunday morning on Interstate 70 near Hagerstown. Citing witnesses, a police report said Fetterman, 54, was traveling westbound “well above the speed limit” when he rear-ended a Chevrolet Impala.
“The passengers in the Traverse and the driver of the Impala were transported by ambulance to War Memorial Hospital in West Virginia for treatment of their injuries,” the accident report states. No tickets were issued at the scene. The Fettermans were wearing their seat belts, as was the other driver, according to the report.
A copy of the police report was obtained by The Washington Post. Some identifying information has been redacted. Can’t view the PDF on a mobile device? here.
In March, Fetterman pleaded guilty to driving 34 miles per hour over the speed limit in Westmoreland County, near Pittsburgh. Traffic Record Book: According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, drivers who are caught speeding more than 31 miles per hour are automatically required to attend a driver improvement course.
Speeding offenses of this severity will require the offender to take a special driving test or have their driver’s license suspended for 15 days. Driving school and the exam will test “safe driving practices” and safety knowledge.
Fetterman also pleaded guilty in 2016 to driving 24 miles per hour over the speed limit in Warren County in northwestern Pennsylvania.
On Monday’s X-Video, the Fettermans said that this Sunday The accident ruined their wedding anniversary. Gisele Fetterman said it was the “worst anniversary ever.” “But we’re fine,” John Fetterman said.
Razzan Nakhlawi and Dan Morse contributed to this report.
