Alleged drunk driver reportedly hits repair shop, damages motorcycle

Schanlaber
Schanlaber

A reportedly intoxicated local woman was arrested early Saturday after she allegedly deliberately drove her car into the side of a motorcycle repair shop and knocked over a motorcycle before fleeing the scene.

Courtney Taylor Schanlaber, 21, who lists a Hobson Avenue address, was taken into custody shortly before 3:30 a.m. and charged with a felony count of first-degree criminal mischief over $1,000, punishable by up to six years in prison, and misdemeanor counts of driving while intoxicated and second-degree criminal mischief less than $1,000, punishable by up to one year in jail.

She was later released on $4,500 bond and is set to appear June 25 in Garland County District Court.

Schanlaber was previously arrested May 27 on a felony count of second-degree battery, punishable by up to six years, and misdemeanor counts of resisting arrest, obstructing governmental operations, disorderly conduct and public intoxication after allegedly causing a disturbance outside her residence and then attacking a Hot Springs police officer.

She pleaded not guilty to the charges June 5 and a felony review hearing to determine if the charges will be bound over to the Garland County Circuit Court is set for July 16.

According to the affidavit of Saturday's arrest, shortly after 2:30 a.m., Garland County sheriff's Cpl. Robbie Swinney and Deputy Stacy Morgan were dispatched to a disturbance at McBride Cycle, 3744 Park Ave., in which a woman was allegedly threatening to run her car into the building.

While en route, the complainant called back to report the woman had rammed the building and left headed south on Park toward town. Morgan met a car matching the description of the suspect vehicle coming toward him and alerted Swinney the vehicle was headed toward him.

Swinney pulled over and after the vehicle passed him, he made a traffic stop on it at DeSoto Park and made contact with the driver, identified as Schanlaber. He noted a strong odor of intoxicants coming from the vehicle and her person.

When asked if she had been drinking, Schanlaber reportedly admitted she had "a couple of drinks" around 1 a.m. and drank a bottle of wine around 10 p.m. She submitted to field sobriety tests and reportedly failed all three.

She then submitted to a portable breathalyzer test which registered her blood alcohol content at 0.11 percent, well over the legal limit. At that point, Schanlaber allegedly became "very uncooperative" and refused to sign any paperwork during the booking process.

Morgan later learned Schanlaber had also allegedly kicked over a motorcycle at the repair shop, causing an estimated $5,000 in damages. The damage to the building was estimated at $1,000.

Local on 06/12/2018

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