The Hill News

Rep. Tom Perriello (D-Va.) was charged Monday with making an unsafe lane change after he was involved in an auto collision late last week.

Virginia state police say that the congressman's pickup truck hit a sport utility vehicle while he attempted to change lanes Friday night in the southern part of the state, according to The Associated Press. 

The AP reported that Perriello was not hurt, but that a passenger in the SUV experienced minor injuries. Perriello spokeswoman Jessica Barba said that the charge was "not a serious infraction" and that the SUV was in the congressman's blind spot.

Barba also said that she believes the passenger was taken to the hospital for precautionary measures and was unsure if the passenger was actually injured.

The freshman congressman, who represents the state's traditionally ! Republican 5th district, faces a tough reelection battle in November against GOP state Sen. Robert Hurt.

The Hill's 2010 Midterm Election Poll showed Perriello trailing Hurt by a single point, 44 percent to 45, with 9 percent undecided.