Nancy Hamilton, wife of former congressman, dies in one-vehicle accident

Nancy Hamilton, wife of Lee Hamilton, director of the IU Center on Congress, died of head-related injuries after she was struck by her own vehicle Saturday.

Driving a 2000 Toyota Camry, Hamilton arrived at the College Mall Veterinary Hospital, located at 4517 E. Morningside Drive. Neglecting to set the vehicle in park, Hamilton was struck by the car as it rolled backward when she went to retrieve her dog from inside the vehicle, said Detective Sgt. John Kovach of the Bloomington Police Department.

Witnesses were only able to recall Hamilton on the pavement and did not see the accident occur. When the incident was initially reported, Kovach said witnesses assumed Hamilton had fallen in the parking lot and suffered the head injury as a result.
 Emergency responders first arrived on the scene at about 5:45 p.m.

Upon Hamilton’s medical examination at IU Health Bloomington Hospital, hospital staff noted her injuries were not consistent with those of a fall, Kovach said.

Although they were not a witness to the incident, a veterinary technician from the hospital approached Hamilton on the pavement, at which point she indicated to the technician she had been run over by her own vehicle.

Hamilton was 82 years old.

Lee Hamilton served as a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives for over 30 years and was the 9/11 Commission’s Vice Chairman.

Various members of both parties reached out to offer their condolences to the Hamilton family.

“I am saddened to hear about Nancy Hamilton’s passing. I am proud to have served with her husband, former Representative Lee Hamilton, in the Indiana Delegation to Congress for many years,” U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., said in a press release Monday. “Nancy was always known for her kindness and graciousness. Char and I continue to hold Lee and Nancy’s family in our thoughts and prayers.”

Ind. Sen. Vi Simpson, D-Bloomington, also issued a statement in light of Hamilton’s passing.

“I was heartbroken when I heard about Nancy Hamilton’s accident on Saturday night,” she said. “Through the years she was a rock for Congressman Hamilton as he worked to make Indiana and our country a stronger place.  She and her family are in our prayers during this time.”

Monroe County Coroner Nicole Meyer could not be reached for a statement.

— Michael Majchrowicz