Danise Baird, the wife of Indiana Representative Jim Baird, tragically passed away early Sunday due to “complications” from over a dozen fractures she suffered in a hit-and-run accident in early January.
Initially, both the congressman and his wife were anticipated to recover following what was described by President Trump as a “pretty bad” car accident on their way back to Washington, DC, on January 5. This statement was made prior to a House Republican policy retreat the next day.
In a heartfelt statement released Sunday morning, Baird’s office confirmed Danise’s passing.
“Congressman Baird and Danise were married for 59 years, creating a life centered around faith, family, and service. As a devoted wife and loving mother of three, she was the family’s cornerstone and will be profoundly missed. We request that you keep the Congressman and his family in your thoughts and prayers during this challenging time,” the statement read.
The couple, described as “high school sweethearts,” have three children, as noted in the biography on the congressman’s official website.
Following the harrowing crash, both were admitted to the hospital for treatment.
Baird, 80, was released from the hospital on Jan. 6, but wore a neck brace for a few weeks after. Danise, who sustained a staggering “15 breaks and fractures,” was discharged on Jan. 12, their son Beau Baird confirmed in a post on Facebook.
Beau — who claimed his father’s Indiana legislative seat when the elder Baird departed for the US House of Representatives — posted on Feb. 1 that Danise had taken her “first assisted steps” since the crash. In the optimistic post, he noted that the family knew “there’s still a road ahead.”
Beau said that he’d primarily been sharing updates on his father because Danise “is a very private person” with “a long recovery ahead of her.”
Then, on Sunday, Beau posted: “3/1/26 6:31:10 am” — the date and time of Danise’s passing — ahead of his father’s official confirmation of her death.
Many politicians offered up their prayers on the Baird family’s behalf.
“Jim’s wife Danise was often by his side as he worked so hard in Congress on behalf of his constituents. They are salt of the earth people and Jim and his family have sacrificed so much for our country,” New York Rep. Elise Stefanik wrote on X.
“Our sympathies and condolences to Jim and his family. We admire them both and their 59 years of marriage. I enjoyed getting to know Danise, and we’ll hold Jim in our prayers,” Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon wrote.
“Join me in praying for [Jim], my good friend [Beau] and their entire family. May the peace of God which surpasses all understanding wash over them today and in the weeks and months ahead,” Indiana State Rep. Jake Teshka added.
