Babbitt, Son, 12, Not Seriously Hurt in Three-Car Crash

Democratic presidential hopeful Bruce Babbitt and his son escaped serious injury but their car was destroyed when a motorist rear-ended the auto and it hit a car in front.

Babbitt, 49, suffered possible whiplash, said campaign spokesman Vada Manager. No one else in Saturday’s three-car accident reported any injuries. Both Babbitt and his son were wearing seat belts, the spokesman said.

The former Arizona governor and his son Christopher, 12, were heading to play basketball at a hotel health club when a van with rain-soaked brakes collided with the rear of Babbitt’s 1977 Buick LeSabre, Manager said. Babbitt’s car then hit a vehicle in front of it.

Babbitt said he was stopped for a red light when the mini-van driven by Donna Mae Lampinen, who had just dropped off a group of Boy Scouts, slid into the back of his car, Manager said.

“She was quite apologetic, as anyone would be,” Manager said.