Howe Still Hospitalized With Injuries

KALISPELL, Mont. — Former major league pitcher Steve Howe suffered two collapsed lungs and an injury to his throat in a motorcycle crash earlier in week, said the man who took him to the hospital.

“He was having a lot of trouble breathing and couldn’t talk,” said Dick Stotts, a former detective with the Kalispell Police Department.

Howe, who lives in Whitefish, Mont., was on his way to Stotts’ house on Tuesday to talk about playing golf when the accident happened.

A statement released by the family said Howe hit gravel on the pavement near a construction zone and lost control of the motorcycle, sliding into a wire fence.

Howe was able to get back on the motorcycle and ride the half-mile to Stotts’ house.

Stotts said he heard Howe pull into his driveway and found him “covered with dirt and oil.”

Howe underwent surgery shortly after arriving at the hospital. He was in critical condition for two days and remained hospitalized in stable condition Saturday.

Authorities did not learn about the crash until Friday, a violation of the law that states all accidents involving injuries be reported to law enforcement.

Stotts said he believed he had reported the accident when he took Howe to the hospital and said he was hurt in a motorcycle crash.

Howe didn’t report it because he was unable to speak and still couldn’t talk by Friday, Stotts said.

Howe, who was suspended from baseball seven times for drug or alcohol violations, was once convicted of drug possession in Montana.

Howe was released from the New York Yankees in June 1996 and attempted a minor league comeback this season. His season ended when the left-hander hurt his arm in a game on June 29.