Lake Charles, LA –
On May 23 at approximately 3:00 a.m. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies were patrolling the area of East Burton Street near J. Clophus Road in Sulphur when they observed two cars parked next to each other; one of the cars having obvious damage.
During the initial investigation deputies learned Johnny L. Koopman, Jr., 25, Bridge City, Texas, had left a bar, driving an acquaintance’s car and somehow damaged it. Deputies observed tire marks and damaged landscaping, along with a damaged water pipe in the area where the car was parked. Deputies were attempting to locate Koopman at which time deputies were notified by CPSO dispatch that Koopman had called stating he had been in a vehicle accident and was hiding in the woods.
Deputies located Koopman, at which time he was arrested. When deputies were speaking with him he stated he had been driving the car but did not know what happened. He also advised deputies he had been drinking prior to the incident. Deputies observed injuries to Koopman, at which time he was transported to a local hospital by ambulance.
Due to his injuries Koopman, who has two previous DWIs, could not complete standard field sobriety testing; but submitted to toxicology testing while at the hospital. Once he was treated and released he was booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center and charged with DWI 3rd; no driver’s license on person; carless operation; and hit and run driving. He was released on May 26 on a $22,000 bond set by Judge Ron Ware.
CPSO Deputy John Hays is the arresting deputy on this case.