Feinstein’s Husband Hits Parked Car

Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s husband crashed his car into a parked vehicle and later blamed the accident on a combination of medication and exercise.

A witness said Richard Blum was driving erratically and police said he had trouble standing after the accident early Monday.

Blum told officers that he takes medication for a back problem, according to Police Sgt. Tom O’Connell, who evaluated the financier at the accident scene. “He lost his balance a couple of times,” O’Connell said.

There was no indication that he had been drinking, the officer added.

Blum said a combination of painkillers for his neck problem and antihistamines for allergies caused his disorientation. Blum said the reaction was intensified because he was dehydrated from a weekend of rigorous exercise that included long-distance running.

“I tried to make the turn and my reflexes were gone,” Blum said Tuesday. “There was no question that when I got out of the car and started walking around, I felt mentally OK, but was weak in the knees.”

Blum said he later went to Mt. Zion Hospital to have doctors check him out and they agreed with his conclusions.

Blum, 63, an investment banker, owns and runs Richard C. Blum & Associates. He has been in the investment business for 20 years and manages about $500 million.