Rehberg staffer improving after boat crash
Northwest Montana News Network
Dustin Frost, U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg's state director who suffered a severe closed head injury in a boating accident on Flathead Lake Aug. 27, was moved to a less-critical level of hospital care Monday morning.
"Dustin was moved today from the critical care unit to the intermediate care unit … basically onto the medical floor," Kalispell Regional Medical Center spokesman Jim Oliverson said Monday afternoon. "We always see that as a giant step."
The good news came on Labor Day, just three days after Frost's family released a statement that although "he continues to make progress each and every day, we know that these are just the first small steps down a long road to a full recovery."
State Sen. Greg Barkus, R-Kalispell, was driving the boat when it crashed into rocks at Wayfarers State Park and injured all five passengers, including Rehberg. His son Ken Barkus released a statement to the media on Friday saying Barkus was flown to a Seattle hospital for surgery on a broken pelvis.
Rehberg, R-Montana, fractured the bone around his eye and underwent surgery for a broken ankle.
Rehberg, who is unable to fly as a result of his injuries, will ride Amtrak back to Washington, D.C., prior to the end of Congress' August break. He is expected to arrive on Sept. 8 in time for votes.
"My doctor recommended that I not fly for a while, so Jan and I are going to take the Empire Builder back to Washington," Rehberg said in a statement. "I'll be back at my desk in D.C. on Tuesday morning."
Barkus was one of those most seriously injured in the crash. He lost a severe amount of blood and required several transfusions, according to Ken Barkus' statement. After more than five days of treatment in the Kalispell Regional Medical Center's intensive care unit, Barkus — who also suffered broken ribs and cuts on his head, arms, and legs in the crash — was flown to Harborview Medical Center early Thursday morning.
Barkus' wife Kathy, Rehberg's Deputy Chief of Staff Kristen Smith and Rehberg all were released from the Kalispell hospital last week.
Dr. Robert Hollis, the neurosurgeon who has been treating Frost, said in Friday's press release that his 27-year-old patient is requiring aggressive monitoring and treatment. Frost continues to receive intensive nursing care, Hollis added, but is expected to make further recovery.
"I was encouraged this morning when I checked in and they told me they were moving him," Oliverson said. "They're giving him very aggressive physical therapy."
He could not confirm reports that Frost was speaking and sitting up. He said standard operating procedure for such situations is to keep the patient sedated and watch closely for any brain swelling.
Oliverson said Frost's family continues to stay by his side in the hospital.
Investigators believe the boat, which Barkus was piloting, plowed into the steep shore along Wayfarers State Park in Bigfork about 10:20 p.m. on Aug. 27 in excess of 40 mph.
Flathead County Attorney Ed Corrigan has said investigators believe Barkus, who has yet to be interviewed by detectives, was drinking the night of the crash.
Barkus' attorney, Todd Glazier, has released no details about the incident and has refused to talk to the media.
"When medically able, Greg intends to assist the officials with investigating this terrible accident," according to Ken Barkus' statement.
The boat party was returning to Marina Cay, where Rehberg had been staying, after dinner at The Docks restaurant in Lakeside when the wreck occurred.
Prosecutors have subpoenaed lab reports and a blood sample taken from Barkus for medical reasons while he was being treated at the hospital following the crash so toxicologists at the state crime lab can test his blood-alcohol level.
Corrigan said this week he is awaiting additional evidence from the crash before his office decides whether to file charges against Barkus, a veteran GOP state legislator who is the state Senate's majority whip.