Rehberg, five others injured in boat wreck

Five people, including Montana Rep. Denny Rehberg and state Sen. Greg Barkus, R-Kalispell, were injured Aug. 27 when the speedboat they were riding in crashed into rocks on the east shore of Flathead Lake about 10:20 p.m.

Barkus was driving the 22-foot boat, which ran some distance up onto the rocks about 100 yards south of the pier at Wayfarers State Park, in Bigfork. Barkus, the majority whip in the Montana Senate, is also the boat's owner.

Rehberg suffered a broken ankle and a fracture around his eye. His blood-alcohol level at the hospital was 0.05. Barkus and his wife Kathleen were hospitalized but in stable condition.

Two of Rehberg's staff were also injured. State director Dustin Frost's head injury was described as serious but 'survivable." Deputy-chief-of-staff Kristin Smith suffered cuts to her face and head and several fractures.

The group were returning to Marina Cay, in Bigfork, after a dinner on the west side of Flathead Lake. Rehberg was staying at Marina Cay.

The hull of the boat was intact, but the engine's out-drive was torn from the stern and the passenger-side windshield had collapsed forward. Investigators impounded the boat, and Sheriff's Sgt. Dave Leib said investigators will try to obtain a blood sample from Barkus.

The Flathead County Sheriff's Department took over the lead investigation role from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.