Barkus drove boat in wreck that injured five, including Rep. Rehberg

The Daily Inter Lake and the Associated Press

State Sen. Greg Barkus, R-Kalispell, was driving the speedboat that crashed Thursday night into the shore of Flathead Lake, seriously injuring five people - including U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg, a family spokesman said Saturday.

Rehberg is recovering from ankle surgery and has a fracture around his eye, but could be released as soon as Monday, said Rehberg friend and former staff chief Erik Iverson.

Barkus and his wife, Kathleen, were hospitalized and in stable condition after their 22-foot boat crashed into rocks on the shore of Wayfarers State Park about 10:25 p.m. Thursday.

Barkus was said to be up and about, although Iverson said he had not sought, or been given, permission to discuss Barkus' specific condition.

Two of Rehberg's staffers also were injured in the crash. One, state director Dustin Frost, has a serious but "survivable" head injury and is under the care of a neurosurgeon, Iverson said.

Rehberg's wife, Jan, also talked to reporters on a Saturday morning conference call, and said the outpouring of concern was very touching.

"Denny is in good condition and has been lucid from the beginning" she said. "He is still in good spirits and very able to communicate and knows what's going on."

Another Rehberg staffer, Kristin Smith, suffered several fractures, including to the nose and wrist, but could be released in a couple of days. There was no such timeline for Frost, who was responsive but not holding conversations, Iverson said.

"He has a significant head injury, it is significant brain injury," said the Rehberg family friend. "But it is survivable.

"The best thing he has going for him is that he is 27 years old and he is strong."

The fifth passenger, Barkus' wife Kathy, was doing well and holding conversations, said Jan Rehberg.

Iverson said that Rehberg's blood alcohol level was .05 according to a test at the hospital, but stressed the congressman was not driving the boat. That would still be below the legal limit of .08 for piloting a boat.

"I would begin this description of events by reiterating this was not Denny's boat, and that he was not driving the boat," Iverson said.

Iverson said he had no information on Barkus' blood alcohol level.

The Flathead County sheriff's office has taken over from the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks as the lead investigatory agency.

Iverson said that doctors put plates and screws into Rehberg's ankle, and took out some bone chips. He said the congressman has a big "shiner" around the eye that has fracture behind it. It is not yet known when Rehberg will be returning to work.

Iverson said that the group was on the boat because it had been used as transportation from the resort where they were staying to the other side of the lake where they had dinner. Iverson described it as a collection of old friends and people Barkus wanted to introduce to Rehberg.

Barkus, who also owned the boat, is the majority whip in the Montana Senate and a veteran legislator.

The boat crashed about 100 yards south of the Wayfarers pier, which is well-lit at night. The hull was intact, but the engine outdrive was torn away from the stern and the passenger-side windshield was collapsed forward.

Rehberg had been in Polson on Thursday visiting St. Joseph Medical Center and Tribal Health Services. He reportedly was staying at Marina Cay in Bigfork.