A Bradenton man was sentenced for a June 2021 traffic fatality, which the Sarasota Police Department Traffic Homicide Unit investigated.

On November 3, 2023, Jordan Schopfer, 32, pled guilty to vehicular homicide and DWLS (driving while license suspended) causing death or serious bodily injury. In part of the plea agreement, Schopfer was sentenced to 15 years and 5 months in the Department of Corrections.

On June 12, 2021, at 5:30 p.m., a 2002 Toyota Corolla and a 2005 Suzuki motorcycle crashed in the 1200 block of North Beneva Road, Sarasota. The motorcyclist, a 60-year-old man from Sarasota, died. The name of the victim is withheld under Marsy’s Law.

At the time of the crash, Schopfer’s driver's license was suspended/revoked for DUI with personal injury, with previous suspensions. He was also on probation for charges of arson.

The motorcyclist was driving southbound on North Beneva Road. Schopfer was initially driving northbound in the outside lane. Witnesses said Schopfer moved from the outside to the inside lane but did not try to correct the vehicle. Schopfer continued driving at an angle over the raised concrete median and into the southbound lanes, hitting the motorcyclist.

Traffic Homicide Investigators conducted an inventory of Schopfer’s vehicle. The officers found a can of compressed air and a receipt with a purchase time of 12 minutes before the crash occurred. Officers also located a bag that had a restaurant-style whipping container inside.

Schopfer was identified on surveillance video standing inside a store purchasing a can of compressed air wearing the same clothes he was wearing at the time of the crash. Another camera shows Schopfer getting into the exact vehicle involved in the crash. The vehicle was seen on camera nearly hitting a pedestrian in the parking lot and rear-ending a parked car.

On June 26, 2021, Traffic Homicide Investigators developed probable cause that Schopfer “huffed or snorted” nitrous oxide to “get high.” The initial effects of inhalant abuse are similar to those of anesthetics: simulations, disinhibition, and euphoria. These sensations may be followed by hallucinations and general depression, including slurred speech and drowsiness or sleep within seconds to minutes.

Schopfer was arrested in Manatee County in 2021 by the United States Marshals Service Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force.

###