(La Porte County, IN) - Police say a teenage drunk driver knocked down a NIPSCO pole between La Porte and Westville.

Just after 1 a.m. on Saturday, officers responded to the 0100 block of S. 500 West in Scipio Township to find a NIPSCO pole knocked over.

Rece Goetz, 19, of Valparaiso, told investigators he was traveling 70 miles per hour when he lost control of his Chevy Silverado while attempting to negotiate two “S curves.” He then sheered the base of the NIPSCO pole.

Goetz said he was coming from the nearby house of a friend who he was helping remodel the residence. He was not injured.

Goetz was charged with operating while intoxicated and minor consumption of alcohol for allegedly having a .13-percent blood alcohol level. Officers placed his fully loaded handgun into safe keeping until he was released from jail after posting bond.