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Contrite Corzine Asks State To Forgive Him |
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Written by Simon Jones
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Tuesday, 01 May 2007 |
New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine has sought forgiveness from the residents of the state for driving without a seatbelt. The mistake almost cost him his life as he was involved in a horrendous car accident on April 12.
He was released from the hospital today after spending almost three weeks confined to a bed.
The high-speed crash left Corzine with 11 broken ribs. He also fractured his sternum, left thighbone and collarbone, besides breaking a lower vertebra. The accident occurred near Garden State Parkway in Galloway Township when Corzine's car tipped a guard rail.
He was traveling from Atlantic City to Princeton when his car crashed. An aide and a state trooper, who was driving were also hurt in the crash. Corzine was on a respirator till April 20 and doctors were skeptical of his recovery chances.
However he recovered sufficiently to be discharged from the Cooper University Hospital today. Emerging outside the hospital in a wheelchair dressed in a red t-shirt and black pants, a contrite Corzine was emotional when he asked forgiveness for setting a poor example.
"I'm a blessed human being. I could not be more grateful for the support I have had," he said. “I don’t think people realize just how much people care and show their support. There is nothing more important in life than those people who care about you all the time in the moments of joy and the moments of pain.”
Corzine also thanked his doctors and medical staff for their prompt action when he suffered critical injuries and lost half his blood. “I set a very bad example,” he admitted. “I hope the state will forgive me. I will work very hard to set the right kind of example.”
Richard J. Codey, the president of the State Senate, is filling in for Corzine as New Jersey governor. It is not clear as to when Mr Corzine can resume normal duties.
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