ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Authorities took a blood sample from a Maryland lawmaker who operated a motorboat that collided with another vessel, saying investigators believe alcohol could have been a factor in the accident that injured the man and five others.

Delegate Don Dwyer and five others, including three children, were hospitalized after the accident Wednesday night on the Magothy River near Gibson Island. None of the injuries was considered to be life-threatening on Thursday.

But Capt. Jerry Kirkwood, a spokesman for the Maryland Natural Resources Police, said the accident was serious enough right after the collision that investigators had to consider the possibility that injuries could have been life-threatening.

"We did do what we call a blood kit on Delegate Dwyer because there was suspicion of alcohol involved, and anytime there is a serious accident that involves life-threatening injuries that's automatic that we draw blood," Kirkwood said after a news conference at Sandy Point State Park, where he spoke with reporters about the accident.

The sample was taken after Dwyer, R-Anne Arundel, was transported to Shock Trauma in Baltimore, where he was in stable condition.

Kirkwood said he did not know what made investigators believe alcohol may have been a factor.

"It can be as simple as there was a beer can in the boat," Kirkwood said. "It can be as simple as they smelled beer. It could be that they say, 'hey, I just left a bar,' so I don't know the details here other than the on-scene officers obviously had that suspicion and asked investigators to do what we call a blood kit."

Kirkwood said Dwyer was the only person a blood sample was taken from. The other boat's operator was run through a bank of tests, and there was no indication alcohol had been used by that operator, Kirkwood said.

Injuries in the accident included broken bones and bruises.

"All indications are that they're going to recover from their injuries," Kirkwood said.

Calls to Dwyer and to his legislative aide, Louisa Baucom, were not immediately returned.

Dwyer was operating a 26-foot Baja motorboat, which sank after the collision. Another adult was on board. The other boat, an 18-foot Bayliner, carried five children and two adults.

Three of the children between the ages of 5 and 12 were taken to hospitals Wednesday night. Two other adults also were hospitalized.

People who saw the accident picked up everyone aboard the two boats.

Investigators were still working to determine the cause.

"Right now, they are in the process of continuing to interview the folks who were on the boat, folks that were on shore, the good Samaritans, anybody that saw anything," Kirkwood said.

Kirkwood noted that there was no speed limit in the area of the river where the accident happened. He also said it was a nice evening with good visibility.

Dwyer, who has been a member of the House of Delegates since 2003, is known for being one of the most conservative lawmakers in Annapolis. In 2010, he sought impeachment proceedings against Attorney General Doug Gansler because of his opinon regarding the recognition of same-sex marriages in other states. The effort was rejected.