State Sen. James Rhoades, R-Schuylkill, died from injuries received in a head-on collision in October, 2008. His wife and the driver of the other car were injured, but the injuries are not life-threatening. For decades, Rhoades was chair of the Senate Education Committee. A former teacher and principal, he was a champion for children and education. He also was widely respected for building bi-partisan understanding and action on education issues. Gov. Ed Rendell has directed that flags be flown at half-mast.