The Lawrence man who drove a pickup truck into Riverside School wasn’t drinking alcohol at the time of the crash, the man’s wife said Friday.

In an interview, Papri Westphal said a hospital blood-alcohol test showed her husband, Tristan Westphal, wasn’t intoxicated Wednesday night when his pickup struck the elementary school on North Iowa Street.

A Lawrence Police report says alcohol was recovered from Westphal’s truck and that alcohol was perhaps a contributing factor in the crash.

“The test at the hospital came out zero. He was not drinking,” Papri Westphal said.

Tristan Westphal, 23, suffered severe injuries in the crash, including two fractured ankles, cuts to one eye that may jeopardize his vision, a deep gash in a leg, a concussion and numerous other scrapes and bruises. He was listed in good condition Friday at Kansas University Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan.

“He may have to be in the hospital for a month, but we’re not sure,” Papri Westphal said.

She said her husband remembers only a portion of the accident and events that followed. It appears he was headed to a relative’s house at the time of the wreck, she said.

“He said that while he was driving, he fell asleep,” she said.

She said Tristan Westphal said he subsequently entered the residential garage of Dorothy Daniels, who lives across the street from Riverside, in search of medical assistance. He was “confused, in pain and shock” and wasn’t able to comprehend where he was or how to find help, Papri Westphal said.

“He was covered with blood from top to bottom,” Papri Westphal said. “It scared people. People were yelling at him, and he couldn’t figure out what was going on.”

She said Tristan Westphal is employed at Reuter Pipe Organ Co. in Lawrence. The couple have two children, ages 3 and 1.

“I feel so bad,” Papri Westphal said. “There is this story about alcohol. There is another side to it.

“He’s struggling for his life, and he has no criminal record or tickets for drinking and driving.”

She said the couple has automobile insurance, but she’s uncertain whether the policy covers an estimated $100,000 damage to the school. She said the accident could bankrupt the family, even make them homeless.

Her concern at this time, she said, is her husband’s health and the family’s good name.

“Just don’t take away our dignity,” she said.