Former governor injured in motorcycle accident

Published 1:54 pm Monday, June 27, 2011

Former Governor Bob Riley was injured in a motorcycle accident near Fairbanks, Alaska, Sunday afternoon.

Riley is being treated in a Fairbanks hospital for several broken bones and a punctured lung.

He was wearing a helmet, and his doctors expect him to make a full recovery. He will return to Alabama as soon as his doctors clear him to travel.

The accident occurred while Riley was traveling on a dirt and gravel road. As it began to rain, he hit a slick spot and had to lay the motorcycle down to avoid losing control.

Former First Lady Patsy Riley is traveling to Alaska to be with him.

“God was watching out for him,” said Mrs. Riley. “We feel blessed because it could have been so much worse.”