State Rep. out of the hospital
Olsen plans on returning to Daniel this weekend
by Trey Wilkinson

State Rep. Monte Olsen has been released from the hospital following an incident on April 28 in which he was run over by a vehicle his wife, Dr. Lisa Glenn, 37, of Daniel was driving.

Olsen was released from Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center (EIRMC) on Saturday and is currently resting in western Idaho.

“I’ll be resting in western Idaho for a week,” he said. “I’m feeling much better. Considering the extent of injuries I’m doing pretty good.”

Olsen, who suffered multiple injuries, including 10 broken ribs (four of which had multiple fractures), face injuries and a collapsed lung, has already undergone one surgery and will return to the hospital May 25 for another surgery to finish work on his face.

Olsen said there are no signs of pneumonia at this time.

“I started breathing and coughing exercises immediately to start the recovery process,” he said. “The collapsed lung is starting to move back into the correct position. The ribs will have to heal at their own pace. I have a few messed up fingers and my jaw is wired shut. I look forward to continued progress and getting back together with things.”

Despite the multiple traumas Olsen has already picked up where he left off with his legislative work.

“I started some legislative work today,” he said Tuesday afternoon. “I reviewed some committee work. My goal is to attend the legislative meeting in the middle of June.”

Olsen said he will return to work full-time when the doctors give him the OK to do so.

In the meantime, he plans on spending the rest of the week in western Idaho with his son resting. The U.S. Army sent Olsen’s youngest son, Sgt. Dane Olsen, home to be with his father the day of the incident. Dane was stationed in Afghanistan with the 10th Mountain Division.

“I want to thank everyone who has sent thoughts and prayers my way,” Monte said. “It’s comforting to know people are thinking of me.”

According to a release signed by Sublette County Undersheriff Jim Whinery, an officer responded to a domestic situation at a residence on Highway 354 in Daniel at about 11 p.m. on April 28.

Upon arrival, deputies and emergency response members assisted Olsen, who had apparently been struck by a motor vehicle driven by his wife, according to court documents.

Dispatch received a report of “a man that was run over with a vehicle,” and when the deputy arrived, he found Olsen trapped beneath a maroon Chevy Suburban, according to court documents.

EMS tended to the victim, while the deputy spoke with Glenn, who is the owner and driver of the Suburban in the incident, according to court documents. Glenn said she and her husband had a verbal altercation, and she was attempting to leave the residence when she ran over her husband.

According to court documents, the deputy noted a continuous set of tire tracks in the gravel and grass, matching the tires “peeling out.” The tracks led to the vehicle that was on top of Olsen.

Olsen was life-flight to Eastern Idaho Medical Center for treatment, where he was reportedly in critical condition.

On May 4, Pinedale optometrist Dr. Lisa Glenn, 37, of Daniel entered a not guilty plea to reckless endangerment after being charged April 30.

Pretrial has been set for Aug. 16 at 8:30 a.m. and will be conducted via telephone. A jury trial has been scheduled for Oct. 2 at 9 a.m. with Third Judicial District Judge Dan Forgey presiding over the case.

Olsen said Tuesday that he wanted people to know that when the Sheriff’s Office responded to the call they didn’t respond to a domestic call.

“They responded to a 911 injury call,” he said.

Olsen said it was after the Sheriff’s Office responded to the injury call that the domestic part came up.

“That was the sequence of events,” he said. “They (Sheriff’s Office) didn’t respond for any other reason than a 911 injury call.”

Olsen was unwilling to comment further on the incident at this time.

“After my surgery on May 25 I’ll write a letter explaining the total extent of my injuries and an account of what happened,” he said. “I think the people in my district deserve to know what happened.”

Olsen plans on returning to Daniel this weekend.