Doctor: Jones in Critical Condition
Updated: 4:40 p.m.
House ethics Chairwoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-Ohio) is in critical condition after suffering a massive aneurysm while driving her car Tuesday night, according to a doctor and family friend.
At a news conference in Cleveland on Wednesday, the doctor said the aneurysm burst in an inaccessible part of her brain and that medical specialists determined that she has very limited brain function.
Police found Jones, 58, unconscious behind the wheel of her car Tuesday night, according to local news reports.
Cleveland police tried to pull over her speeding car before it veered off the road into a field, Clevelands WOIO reported.
Confusion surrounded her condition before the news conference. The Cleveland Plain Dealer and several colleagues reported that she had died.
Two of the Ohio lawmakers colleagues, Reps. Ralph Regula (R) and Marcy Kaptur (D), sent out a letter to Members on Wednesday informing them that Jones had passed away.
The five-term Democrat was planning to attend the Democratic National Convention next week.
According to the Ohio secretary of states online election calendar, 4 p.m. Wednesday was the deadline for a party to certify a name to fill a vacancy on the ballot. Kevin Kidder, a spokesman for the office, said their attorneys were discussing the matter.