Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-MT), who was injured in a boat crash in August that led to felony charges against the allegedly drunk driver today, says his friend “didn’t appear to be impaired.”
Here’s Rehberg statement on the charges against Montana State Sen. Greg Barkus, as reported by KECI in Missoula:
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 Big Fork. 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.
One of the other passengers quoted in the criminal complaint says Barkus had two scotches with dinner and drank “red wine for the rest of the night.” Two members of the group of five, including Rehberg and one of his staffers, were seriously injured in the nighttime crash.
Barkus blood alcohol level was .16 about two hours after the accident, according to the complaint. Rehberg has said he himself had two beers that night.
