" Well, if alcohol was involved, and not drinking alcohol was avoidable, then "accident" would not be the operative word. Crash, Negligent Driving, anything but accident. Because accidents are avoidable. That is why you never see a citation written from law enforcement on "accidents". "

" Your are right J*Ref, all accidents are avoidable that involve drinking. Not that this couldn't have happened to any one of us. Seems all want these three to recover as well as myself. However when is the final report going to be made public? Stating that alcohol /drugs were a factor in the accident. These three were seen drinking at a bars in both Butte and Anaconda for several hours before the accident. Also,I drove by and looked at the boat. The speedometer was froze at 45MPH and the Throttle was pegged. Who drives that fast at night... sober??? On Georgetown Lake. Thank god the families did not have to be notified of a death. Hope these three learned a valuable lesson and decide to take Moriah's Challenge!!!! "

" "ALL accidents that involve drinking ARE without question avoidable."

If you got hit by lightning when drunk, would that have been avoidable if you had been sober? "

" While I do not agree with listen's opening comments, he does have a vaild opinion. ALL accidents that involve drinking ARE without question avoidable. This is becomming painfully obvious.

My thoughts and prayers are also with the families and do hope for a full and speedy recovery. "

" listen-i have been on both sides of this type of situation so i certainly understand both sides. when i said you dont know who you are dealing with-i mean i can tell you dont have a personal stake or interest with these folks. i can tell the rest of the readers below do have a personal interest and personally care--the mafia? really? and i will pray for the recovery of the drunk driver and i will pray for the hanson family---of course. and i will pray for you listen to lose your ignorance and to be educated--hopefully not by karma/experience--because either side of this situation is extremely painful for all involved...peace. "

" Thank you all for proving the old adage true. "Never argue with idiots. They bring you down to their level and beat you with experience." So on that note I concede. I also have other things to do, like attending a funeral in Alberton for another grandson of Mayor Joe Hanson who was killed by a DRUNK driver who remains hospitalized. Of coarse our prayers are for his full recovery as his friends and relatives say he was a good guy. "

" I think listen has had some sort of mental incident. "

" Whom I'm dealing with or talking about?
Whom do you mean? Teachers or the mafia? "

" Its easy to be so ignorant while using your freedom of speech anonymously isnt "listen"! Such a foolish, cold-hearted coward you are! "

" listen-you have no idea who you are dealing with or talking about. and i certainly hope you never do deal with any of them. "

" I'm so happy that the guys are recovering. Then none of them will feel guilty if one of them had died due to one of them acting irresponsibly. Easy to kiss and make up. "Empathy"? You never see much from the family of the victim who dies due to someone's criminal action. "

" Freedom of speech is wonderful whether we like to hear the manner of speech or not....We don't have to listen...

Thank you everyone for all of the prayers and positive messages. I believe the guys are on their way to recovery. "

" May God continue to watch over the injured.
As for listen, you have some serious issues. Do you not have any empathy. "

" I hope you or your family never has to endure anything like this "listen" cause pay backs suck.
my thoughts and prayers go out to all of the families involved in this accident. speedy recovery. "

" WOW. Isn't freedom of speech wonderful. Sorry, but I do have a sense of humor, dark as it may be. BTW, I never even mentioned the word "alcohol" or "drinking" or "intoxicated" in my comment. I did read another Standard article today. Perhaps you read it. " A Butte man faces charges after police allege he was driving drunk with four juveniles in the car Tuesday." To refresh your memories," Robert Bennett Jr., 42, 823 S. Montana St, was charged in Butte justice court Wednesday with a felony charge of driving under the influence and four misdemeanor counts of criminal endangerment." Gosh I guess Mr. Bennette Jr. wasn't such a nice guy. Check out the one comment.
FYI. According to the Granite County Sheriff's Log, that appeared in the August 7 2008 Philipsburg Mail, quote: August 1 23:55 Report of a motor boat crashing into a dock near Philipsburg Bay Campground. Some of the people in the boat were injured and taken to Anaconda by ambulance. The crash is being investigated by Anaconda Police and Fish and Game. Alcohol consumption may have been a factor. unquote. I live closer to Georgetown Lake than those that live in Butte or Opportunity. I too know G-town Lake is toxic. I also know that very few people are boating at 11:55 pm. Until the investigation is completed, the cause and possible consequences won't have anything to do with whether or not the perpetrator was a nice guy. The truth, no matter how much it hurts us or the people we like or love, is still the truth and sometimes humorous as well to those not personally affected. Granted there is nothing humorous about an unavoidable accident. However, we laugh at the drunk driver that claims the tree jumped in front of him from out of no where, or the RVer who thought that once he put the vehicle in automatic cruse control he could take a nap . Ever hear of the Darwin Awards? Usually stupidity or irresponsibility are the causes of avoidable accidents. Healthy people in boats do not hit trees on land at 11:55 at night. And that's how I call em as I see em. "

" ok listen.....your a jerk. that was MY family on that boat and if you think its so funny ha ha i hope the worst comes your way. i am so offended. and so are my cousins when i told them what you had to say we a sickened by your words. and i want to thank all those people who have my family in there prayers. god bless "

" I don't think "Listen" deserves all the attention from everybody (including me), anybody that sits back and laughs about something so horrible deserves NOTHING. Regarless of how or why it happened, it happened. I'm sure "Listen" follows all rules at all times, ha whatever! He is apparently as "ignorant" as they come.

My family and I wish Curtis a speedy recovery and our prayers are with him and his family. Curtis is a great guy and deserves the best! "

" Curtis there are so many people who love you and are sending positivity your way. Hang in there because the world is a better place with you in it. "

" I would just like to thank all the nice and considerate people who all actually care about Curtis. As for "listen" you are the rudest person for saying that about a person you probably don't even know. So I suggest the next time you feel the urge to open your mouth and talk crap about someone, who is one of the nicest people I know, you should think twice. "

" First off i wanted to pray for all the injured people in the accident and there famlies. God was sending his guardian angels to watch over each and everyone of you! I hope all of you have a speedy recovery and you all will be in mine and my familys thoughts and prayers! God Bless you all!



And as for the heartless person who posted there ignorant comment think this accident was a joke, you need your head examined. I have never came across any one that was as heartless as you, obviously you are not from Butte. I got on word for you KARMA~ And really you wouldnt think it was so funny if that was you laying in a hospital bed. You should have respect for the injured victoms and there famlies! you are the most ignorant person !




Again praying for all of you and your famlies i hope each and ever day gets better for all of you i will say an extra prayer for all of ! "

" Interesting that the article doesn't mention if they were "speeding" or going so "fast". And the first article stated the boat had a head lamp on. It did not state if lights weren't on; just that it was dark out and no lights on the shore...Would this accident have happened regardless if alcohol was involved? I don't know--I'm surely not the expert. It isn't wise to assume. Let the officials do the investigating---Let the rest of us pray that all involved are safe and on their way to recovery. By the way--the accident occurred on Friday night--not Saturday as the article stated. This I do know. "

" I pray for a speedy recovery on the injured persons in this tragic accident but "listen" had a good point. What was he doing driving the boat so fast at 11:30 at night without lights to see where he was going? Was there Alcohol involved? If it would have been a nobody, there would have been something about why he was going so fast when he couldn't see the shore line. I realize we all make mistakes but this could have been avoided. What I am upset about is why does the Mt Standard pick and choose who they write about? We had a young man killed right here in Opportunity on a Motorcycle last summer and there was nothing in the Standard about it. Only his obituary.. I guess the fact that Curtis Smith was from Butte and he was a school teacher it would give the Standard a reason to put this on the front page of the paper. I feel sorry for those involved in this accident but please Mt Standard, lets not be so bios in the future. Oh and "listen" you obviously haven't been to G-Town lake lately. On a Saturday or Sunday, there may be dozens of boats on the lake and all going in different direction. It has become the busiest septic tank in South West Mt since the rich and famous took it over. If you don't think it is full of sewage, read the fishing regulations. They now advise not to eat the fish from this lake. "

" Schmitty, Jiggs, and Bean are all great guys. Anyone of them would give the shirt of their backs. I just cannot comment on "listen" as the comments aren't worth reading--let alone commenting about. There is plenty of love, support, good wishes, prayers from many friends, family members and even people who they have only met in passing---This is what they deserve. This is what their families deserve. God bless them and pray for speedy recoveries to each of them. Keep positive thoughts out there and keep praying for them. "

" LISTEN: I just finished reading your comment about a wonderful man Curtis Smith whom I have know for the past 33 years and in your comment what you seemed to find so funny, now has this 66 yr old women in tears. Not one of us including YOU (if you are truly honest with yourself) have done something that turned out to be a mistake. I watched Curtis Smith fight hard for his life this past weekend and he still has a long way to go but because he is strong willed, vidal to our community and an all around wonderful man along with his wonderful family and millions of friends behind him, he will win this battle. I often call Curtis my son and am always proud to do so. Today I am thankful for two things, Curtis is healing faster than they expected and the other thing I am thankful for is "THAT YOU - LISTEN- ARE NOT MY SON" God Bless your mother. Please all of other wonderful people out there keep Curtis, Scott and Bob in your prayers. We need all three of them in our lives "

" Listen here "Listen"!!!!!! I feel sorry for you. You have no couth. I can't believe you have the audacity to say such garbage. I wish you were the tree; I'd back up and hit you a second time! lol lol lol! U stupid idiot. It's sad to see so little class and empathy from another human being. Anyone's life can change in the blink of an eye, we are all here on borrowed time, hope nothing ever happens to you or anyone you love. You should be ashamed. "

" mr smith was one of my favorite teachers and i know that he will recover from this. almost the same thing happend to my sister. she was thrown out of a car. she has brain trama just like curtis smith does. they told her everything taht they told my cousin. and she is still here. she was in the same hospital he is and i know that they take good care of him there. i hope to see him soon hopefully i will see him in school again. he is a nice guy. he may have made a mistake but you dont need to be mean. whoever left those means comments should be punished. mr. smith and his family is in my prayers "

" Listen - I have know Curtis for more than 20 years, howeve, your ignorance would outrage me if you were writing about a complete stranger. We all make mistakes and bad decisions, no matter how old we are, or what we do for a living. You posting the comments you did, would be a prime example. I have not lived in Butte for several years, but I was born and raised there. Something tells me that if you actually live there, and had the audacity to say your comments aloud, instead of writing them, you yourself would be in a hospital right now! "

" Listen - your comments are extremely insenstive and ignorant. I am sure you would not be laughing too hard if it was a member of your family and I doubt you would find the story as funny. I am completely appalled that there are idiots such as yourself out there in the world. "

" listen-Wow, I am amazed at your lack of decorum. You should be ashamed of yourself. No matter how or why this happened, it is a tragic accident. It does not need dunderheads making fun of it. I have to say that I am utterly disgusted by what you are representing. "

" Listen- Your comments are the most stupid and insensitive that I have ever read. I don't know the people that were injured but I will keep them in my prayers. "

" My prayers are also with Coach Curtis and his family. I had the opportunity to be coached by Curtis my sophomore year at Butte High. He taught me a ton about basketball but way above that are all the life lessons he taught myself and my teammates. Before every game he presented us with an inspirational quote to live by in life. The final bus ride of the year he presented us all with a framed copy of the poem "The Guy in the Glass". Seven years later my copy still sits atop my dresser. Get well Coach!!! "

" listen...there is NEVER anything funny when someone may lose his life no matter how stupid the act. This person has a family and I'm sure does not see the humor in this accident. "

" I too hope that he overcomes his injuries. Outside of that, I never laughed so hard reading this article. Georgetown Lake?? Like there's a maximum 5-10 boats on it at any given time? Oh, wait a minute he didn't hit another boat, it was a...it was a... tree. On land! LOL LOL. 11:30 PM. Yes it would be dark at that time. Did he have lights on the boat? Where they turned on? And if you can't see where you're going, common sense you don't go so fast as to run aground into a tree. Curtis may be the nicest guy in the world but that doesn't excuse his stupidity or lack of common sense. And he's a teacher to boot. Hey, was he wearing a seat belt? Oh wait a min, in boats they call it a life jacket. But that's when you're on the water. He was on land. LOL LOL LOL Sorry just too funny. "

" Curtis was a student teacher for one of my classes in high school and is a really nice guy. I will make sure to mention him in my prayers, and wish him all the best. "

" Curtis is a great guy. I wish him a very speedy recovery. My prayers are with him and his family. "