Christa Pike’s failed execution follows another in Tennessee this year

( NewsNation ) — Christa Pike remained in a hospital Thursday after Tennessee’s attempt to execute her failed, marking the second unsuccessful execution attempt in the state this year.

Pike, the lone woman on Tennessee’s death row , was injected twice with lethal drugs Wednesday night but did not die. The state later transported her to an off-site medical facility for care.

Her failed execution comes months after Tennessee also called off the execution of death row inmate Tony Carruthers after medical personnel struggled to establish the required IV access.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said the state’s remaining scheduled execution of 2026 will now be called off and ordered a third-party review. Pike’s attorneys said they had not been told her condition.

Pike was scheduled to become the first woman Tennessee executed in more than 200 years, according to historical records.

Tony Carruthers’ execution also called off

In May, state officials called off the lethal injection of Tony Carruthers, who was convicted of kidnapping and killing three people in 1994, after executioners tried and failed for over an hour to place an IV to administer pentobarbital.

Carruthers’ sister, Dr. Tonya Hervey, later filed a complaint with the Tennessee Department of Health alleging that the failed execution caused serious injuries to her brother, according to WSMV-TV .

Hervey said she believes Carruthers suffered a stroke that left him partially paralyzed and described him as experiencing extreme pain during the procedure. She alleged medical personnel attempted multiple methods to establish access before the execution was called off after about 90 minutes.

In a complaint, Hervey wrote Carruthers can no longer use his right hand, drags his right leg when walking, and has experienced changes in his balance, personality and cognitive functioning.

The Tennessee Department of Health said it reviews complaints and assigns priority based on the severity of the alleged violation before being sent to a regional office for investigation.

Doctor involved in Carruthers’ execution was also planned in Pike’s

Dr. Mark Walton Fowler, the Tennessee Department of Corrections physician involved in Carruthers’ failed execution attempt, was also planned to be involved in Pike’s execution, NBC News reported .

Fowler’s role in Carruthers’ failed execution has drawn scrutiny. Hervey accused Fowler of malpractice and torture in a complaint filed with the Tennessee Department of Health, alleging he struggled to establish additional access during the procedure before the execution was called off.

The Tennessee Department of Corrections has not commented on whether Fowler was involved in Pike’s execution or whether his role changed following the failed attempt to execute Carruthers.