Harry Reid’s wife upgraded to good condition after crash

Mona Shield Payne / Special to the Sun

Sen. Harry Reid attends a dedication ceremony with his son, Key, and wife, Landra, April 9, 2009, at the John C. Kish Boys & Girls Club in Henderson.

By Lisa Mascaro

Saturday, March 13, 2010 | 10:36 a.m.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's wife is out of the Intensive Care Unit today and "on the fast track to recovery" after undergoing neck surgery at a Washington, D.C., area hospital following a serious, multi-vehicle car crash this week, officials said.

The senator's office said there is still no update on when Landra Reid, 69, could be discharged, but her condition has been upgraded to good. Her doctor said on Friday she did not believe further surgeries would be needed and expected the senator's wife could be sent home in the coming days.

The senator plans to continue his re-election campaign.

"His plans have not changed at all," a spokesman said.

The senator remained at his wife's side at the Northern Virginia hospital for most of the day Friday as she underwent surgery that lasted several hours. The Senate was not in session.

"The tremendous concern and support for Landra and Lana from people across Nevada and across the nation have deeply touched our entire family," the senator said in a statement. "We greatly appreciate your thoughts during this difficult time. Landra and I have been married for 50 years. She is the love of my life, and I look forward to her making a full recovery as quickly as possible.”

Reid's wife and daughter, Lana Reid-Barringer, 48, were rear-ended Thursday afternoon by a semi-truck on busy Interstate 95 in Fairfax County.

Landra Reid had been in serious condition after suffering a broken neck, broken back and broken nose. His daughter suffered facial lacerations and neck injuries, and was released from the hospital Thursday night.

Lana is the oldest of Reid's five children and his only daughter.

President Barack Obama called the senator Thursday night to check on Reid's family. Fellow senators, Nevada lawmakers and at least two candidates challenging Reid in his re-election this fall also sent their support. Republican candidate Sue Lowden said she would suspend her campaign ads.

The Reids are high school sweethearts who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last year.