Former US congressman injured in I-35 crash released from local hospital

Former Florida Congressman Allen West was released from Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest Medical Center Monday afternoon following a motorcycle accident Saturday on Interstate 35 in West, north of Waco.

“It means a lot to be able to walk out of this hospital on Memorial Day,” West said.

“My dad is buried at Marietta National Cemetery. My father-in-law is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. So I just thank them for their service and sacrifice in World War II and Vietnam and I just want to let my dad know and my father-in-law know that I’m still a trooper. And old soldiers, we don’t quit.”

West, who moved from Florida to Texas after he served one term in the U.S. House from 2011 to 2013, suffered a concussion, several fractures and multiple lacerations when the motorcycle on which he was riding collided with a second bike at around 5 p.m. Saturday after a driver changed lanes and pulled in front of the two riders.

“I’m used to jumping out of airplanes, not flying through the air on a motorcycle,” West, a retired Army lieutenant colonel, said.

Both motorcyclists were taken to Scott & White Hillcrest with non-life-threatening injuries.

West was returning to North Texas after attending a rally Sunday in Austin calling for the reopening of the state.

The “Texas Freedom Rally” Saturday featured speakers who called for an end to what they call the unconstitutional policies related to COVID-19.

(Royden Ogletree contributed to this story)