A former Tennessee state trooper who survived a fiery on-duty crash has announced plans to run for state representative.
In 2012, Lowell Russell was parked in his cruiser along I-40 in Knoxville when a truck driver fell asleep at the wheel and slammed into him, then the wreckage caught fire. Russell was rescued with serious injuries and recovered, but was unable to return to duty with the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
Now he said he's found a new way to serve.
"I am excited to say that I am officially announcing my candidacy for the 21st District State Representative Seat. I have prayed and thought long and hard about this decision. I have always been drawn towards public service and have dedicated my entire adult life to serving my community," he said in a post on his Facebook page. "Having always loved aiding my fellow citizens, I began to seek out other ways to better attend to the needs of my community. I came to the conclusion I could fulfill this God-given desire by running for State Representative."
That seat, which covers Loudon and Monroe counties, is currently held by Jimmy Matlock. Matlock announced in August that he was seeking the U.S. Congressional seat being vacated by Jimmy Duncan.
