Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, right, and his wife Landra Reid attend an event at Ford's Theater in Washington in 2007.

Reid's wife, Landra, 69, broke her back and neck in the accident, Reid spokesman Jim Manley said. Mrs. Reid was listed in serious condition at Inova Faifax Hospital in Falls Church, Va., an aide said, but she was not expected to require surgery.

The couple's daughter, Lana Barringer, 49, was expected to be released from the hospital Thursday night, Reid aides said.

"Mrs. Reid has a broken nose, broken back and broken neck. Lana has a neck injury and facial lacerations. Both Mrs. Reid and Lana are conscious, can feel their extremities, and according to doctors their injuries are non-life threatening," Manley said.

Virginia State Police said the Reids were traveling north on Interstate 95 in Fairfax County in stop-and-go traffic when their Honda Odyssey was rear-ended by a tractor-trailer loaded with rolls of plastic. The impact forced the Reid family's minivan to hit the vehicle in front of it, which in turn struck a car in an adjacent lane. The other two drivers were also taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said. All involved were wearing seat belts, police said.

The driver of the tractor-trailer, Alan Snader, 59, of Ohio, was charged with reckless driving, police said. He was not injured.

Manley said the Nevada Democrat went to the hospital after being told of the accident and later returned to Capitol Hill for a meeting with White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on efforts to pass health care legislation.

Reid, 70, met Landra while they were attending Basic High School in Henderson, Nev. They were married in 1959. Lana was born two years later. The Reids also have four sons: Rory, Leif, Josh and Key.

Both the senator and his son, Rory, are on Nevada's ballot this year. The Democratic leader is running for re-election to a fifth term, while his son is running for governor.