Man charged in assault incident

Travis Robert Schopp, 26, on Dec. 28 pleaded not guilty to felony charges of negligent vehicular assault.

Schopp was charged in Lincoln County District Court in June after allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol and causing serious bodily injury to a motorcyclist, and then later failing to provide proof of insurance.

According to court documents, Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Anthony Jenson on June 9 responded to a crash on U.S. 2 between Libby and Troy in which a car had collided with a motorcycle.

At the crash site, Jenson reportedly found tire tracks indicating the car had swerved into the westbound lane and hit the motorcycle. Schopp allegedly told Jenson that he had looked down at his watch for a moment and didn’t have time to react when he saw the oncoming motorcycle. Jenson had Schopp perform a series of field sobriety tests, which Schopp did not successfully complete, according to court documents.

Schopp reportedly agreed to a blood sample after he was arrested.

Jenson reported the motorcyclist had broken one of his legs, an elbow and several fingers and toes as a result of the crash.

If convicted, Schopp faces a maximum 10 years and five days imprisonment and a possible $10,500 in fines. Schopp’s omnibus hearing is set for Feb. 13, 2017.

Reporter Seaborn Larson may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at slarson@dailyinterlake.com.