Bonners Ferry man seriously injured in two-vehicle crash

A Bonners Ferry man remained hospitalized Tuesday in Spokane, Wash., after driving his pickup into the path of another pickup and being thrown from his rig.

Rene Mesenbrink, 78, was in serious but stable condition in the intensive care unit at Sacred Heart Medical Center, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Joe Mesenbrink of Moyie Springs told The Herald his brother is expected to survive.

“The main damage resulted from him being thrown through the passenger window,” Joe Mesenbrink said. “He sustained severe cuts to his arms and a severe cut that removed part of his scalp. There was some bleeding on the brain.”

Rene Mesenbrink also suffered a fractured vertebrae in his neck.

“He's conscious, and now we both got our big battles going,” said Joe Mesenbrink, who is undergoing treatment for cancer.

Rene Mesenbrink initially was taken to Boundary Community Hospital after the 10 a.m. Friday crash on Highway 2 across from Moyie Springs Store, Idaho State Police said.

Mesenbrink was northbound on Roosevelt Street when he approached Highway 2, police said. He then drove into the path of a westbound Highway 2 pickup driven by Louis Bush, 69, of Troy, Mont. Bush's truck hit Mesenbrink's truck broadside, and Mesenbrink was thrown.

He was not wearing a seat belt, police said.

Bush and his passenger, Linda Bush, 63, of Troy, were not hurt. Police did not indicate if they were wearing seat belts.

The investigation is continuing.