Rudolph W. Giuliani, the 81-year-old former mayor of New York City and longtime attorney for former President Donald Trump, was hospitalized Saturday night after being involved in a serious car accident in New Hampshire. According to his head of security, Michael Ragusa, Giuliani sustained a fractured thoracic vertebra, along with injuries to his leg and left arm, as well as multiple contusions and lacerations. Despite the severity of the crash, Ragusa confirmed that Giuliani is “in good spirits and recovering tremendously.”
The accident occurred around 10 p.m. near Manchester, N.H., when Giuliani was riding in a Ford Bronco driven by his adviser, Theodore Goodman. The vehicle was rear-ended by a Honda HR-V traveling at high speed, according to New Hampshire State Police. The impact caused both cars to crash into the highway median, leaving them heavily damaged.
Confusion Over Events Leading to the Crash
The sequence of events before the collision remains somewhat unclear. Ragusa said that Giuliani and Goodman stopped their vehicle after being flagged down by a woman who had been the victim of domestic violence. Giuliani reportedly called 911 and remained at the scene until authorities arrived. However, police records only confirm the domestic violence report and did not specify whether Giuliani directly assisted the victim.
When Giuliani’s vehicle was struck, it was positioned on the opposite side of Interstate 93 from where the domestic violence incident had been reported, state police said. Troopers and fire officials who were already responding to that call witnessed the crash and immediately crossed the highway to assist Giuliani, Goodman, and the other driver, identified as 19-year-old Lauren Kemp of Concord, N.H.
Injuries and Ongoing Investigation
Giuliani was transported to an undisclosed hospital, where doctors confirmed his vertebra fracture and other injuries. Goodman and Kemp were also injured but are expected to recover, with police describing their conditions as not life-threatening.
The New Hampshire State Police said the crash remains under investigation. Authorities have not yet released further details regarding Kemp’s speed or whether any charges may be filed in connection with the accident.
Giuliani’s Public Response and Support
On Sunday, Giuliani expressed gratitude for the medical care he received, particularly from his business partner Maria Ryan, a nurse practitioner in New Hampshire who helped oversee his treatment. “Thank you to Maria for making sure I had the best care possible,” a message from his official social media account read.
His son, Andrew Giuliani — recently appointed by Donald Trump as executive director of the 2026 men’s World Cup task force — also acknowledged the accident. “Your prayers mean the world,” he wrote, adding, “As a son, I can tell you I’m honored to have a Dad that I can call the toughest SOB I’ve ever seen!”
Republican activist Curtis Sliwa, who ran for New York City mayor in 2021, said he and others prayed for Giuliani after hearing about the crash. “On Staten Island, Rudy is a beloved figure, and a few of us said a prayer wishing him a swift and pain-free recovery,” Sliwa told reporters.
A Tumultuous Period for the Former Mayor
The crash comes during a challenging period in Giuliani’s personal and professional life. Once celebrated as “America’s Mayor” for his leadership of New York City following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Giuliani has faced mounting legal and financial troubles in recent years.
He filed for bankruptcy in New York in 2023 but saw the case dismissed after failing to comply with court requirements, leaving his assets vulnerable to creditors. He has also been entangled in ongoing legal battles related to his work as Trump’s attorney following the 2020 election.
Still, Giuliani has remained a visible figure in Republican politics, attending events across the country. On the night of the crash, he had been seen at a New Hampshire Fisher Cats baseball game in Manchester, appearing upbeat before tragedy struck.
Despite his injuries, Giuliani’s team insists he is on the path to recovery. The New Hampshire State Police investigation will determine the precise cause of the accident, while Giuliani will likely spend the coming weeks focusing on rest and rehabilitation.
For supporters, the crash was another reminder of the fragility of the 81-year-old political veteran’s health, but also of his resilience. As Andrew Giuliani wrote, his father has once again shown himself to be “the toughest SOB” many of his allies believe him to be.
