Man runs into sign, fire hydrant and building

A man was arrested in the early morning hours on Saturday after he drove a vehicle into  a building on Guthrie’s west side. In the process, took out a street sign and a fire hydrant.

A Guthrie police officer noticed a vehicle was facing the south with its hazard lights flashing at about 1:10 a.m. Upon arrival, the officer found a maroon Chevrolet Impala with extensive damage, including both air bags deployed, and a large hole on the west side of a building located at 604 W. Noble.

The driver of the vehicle, Derek Alan Schopplein, first told police his wife (girlfriend) was driving the car, that he lost his shoe and was attempting to find it. He later confessed, “yeah I was driving and ran into the building.”

Schopplein, 33 of Guthrie, agreed to a field sobriety test, but was quickly terminated after nearly falling into the roadway according to a police report. He was then arrested and taken to the local hospital after agreeing to a blood test. Despite giving the test, Schopplein became angry after arriving to the police station and demanded a blood test.

Schopplein’s former girlfriend said they were in bed asleep and that she left her keys in her purse. She went on to say Schopplein, who had a suspended license, did not have permission to drive her vehicle.

Schopplein was arrested on four offenses: driving motor vehicle while under suspension, driving under the influence, failure to report an automobile accident and not entitled to possession of a vehicle.