House candidate injured in crash on primary election day

April Berg was a passenger in a car struck by a suspected impaired driver Tuesday near Everett.

April Berg

April Berg

EVERETT — A candidate for the state Legislature, April Berg, was injured in a crash Tuesday afternoon on Highway 96, when a suspected impaired driver crashed head-on into a car driven by Berg’s husband, sending a total of four people to hospitals.

Berg, 46, an Everett School Board member and 44th Legislative District candidate awaiting results of a primary election Tuesday, was the passenger in a 2016 Nissan driven by her husband Brian Berg, 56, according to the Washington State Patrol.

The couple was headed east on Highway 96, when a westbound 1992 Nissan “fully” crossed over the center line and hit the Bergs’ car head-on around 4 p.m. near Lowell Larimer Road, according to a state patrol press memo.

Berg, in a Facebook post, said she was recovering from back injuries.

“I am in the hospital, and my back is broken in two places,” the post read. “This is a scary time for me and my family, but I am determined to have a swift recovery and continue fighting for you. As I was getting into the ambulance, my paramedic told me that he voted for me. You all give me strength. Onward!”

A 23-year-old Mount Vernon man driving the 1992 Nissan was taken to Harborview Medical Center. He was under investigation for driving under the influence. A Mount Vernon woman, 30, in his car was also injured.

April Berg was transported to Providence Regional Medical Center Everett with injuries described as not life threatening. Her husband was taken to the hospital as a precaution, according to troopers.

Hours later, as primary election results rolled in Tuesday night, Berg received 33.1% of the vote for the state House. The Democrat was in second place for position 2 in the 44th district. Republican Mark James led with 45.8%. Anne Anderson, a Democrat, trailed with 21%. The top two candidates advance to the general election.

Berg released a statement Wednesday afternoon to The Daily Herald.

“Yesterday, my campaign took an important step forward, and we reached the general election with great support and a lot of moment. Unfortunately, I was unable to share the victory with friends and family due to an auto accident my husband and I suffered on our way to wave signs in Snohomish. A car veered into our lane and struck us head on. While we escaped with injuries that will heal in time, I am being held in the hospital for a couple days for treatment and observation. This wasn’t the post-primary ‘break’ I had in mind, but as I recuperate our campaign will continue working hard and pivoting to the critical November election.”

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