Danise Baird, the wife of U.S. Rep. Jim Baird of Indiana, died Sunday from complications tied to injuries she suffered in a car crash earlier this year, the congressman's office announced. The couple had been married for 59 years and are parents to three children, according to the statement released by the office.
The announcement, which linked her death to complications from the January collision and noted key details about her family, was reported by WTHR. The outlet said the office also paid tribute to Danise’s life in the statement.
Crash and recovery
The crash that ultimately led to her death occurred in early January, when the couple’s vehicle was struck while they were traveling to Washington, D.C., and both were taken to hospitals, according to AP. At the time, Baird’s office said he was expected to make a full recovery, and Fox News reported that the congressman was discharged from the hospital in under 24 hours after receiving treatment.
Family, career and reaction
The Bairds, described as high-school sweethearts, had been married 59 years, and Danise was the mother of three, according to WTHR. After the January crash, colleagues and constituents offered messages of support, and the congressman's office publicly thanked people for their prayers and kind words, as reported by CBS News.
Details about funeral services and other arrangements have not yet been released. This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
