Montana Congressman Denny Rehberg, who was injured when Kalispell Sen. Greg Barkus crashed his boat into the Flathead Lake shore on Aug. 27, released a statement Wednesday after Barkus was charged with three felonies, including felony negligent vehicular assault for allegedly operating a motorboat under the influence of alcohol and causing “serious bodily harm” to two of the passengers. From Rehberg’s office:
I was surprised to learn the results of Greg’s blood alcohol test. He didn’t appear to be impaired to me when we got on the boat for the return trip to Bigfork. There is, of course, a presumption of innocence in our system of justice and the charges made today by the prosecutors are now in the hands of the Court. I’ll continue to provide whatever information I can to the authorities. My thoughts and prayers remain with Dustin, Kristin, Kathy, Greg and their families.
In an interview last month, Rehberg also said he didn’t think Barkus look impaired:
Rehberg said he did not see whether Barkus was drinking at the restaurant, and did not see any sign that he was impaired at all as the group got back on the boat at around 10 p.m.
“I saw no signs of impairment at all, none,” Rehberg said.
<a href="http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/barkus_charged_with_three_felonies_following_aug._27_boat_crash/13451/" title="Read Dan Testa’s story on the charges filed against Barkus here.“>Read Dan Testa’s story on the charges filed against Barkus here.