A Powell driver crashed into the Blair’s Super Market building on Friday evening, and police suspect it was related to alcohol.

Dean R. McFate, 67, reportedly “accelerated” into a pillar on the east side of the store around 5:45 p.m., charging documents say, which prompted multiple calls to 911. After smelling alcohol and finding McFate to be disoriented, responding Powell police officers arrested him on suspicion of driving while under the influence of alcohol for a second time in 10 years.

McFate attempted to plead guilty on Monday in Park County Circuit Court, saying that, “I know what I did was wrong, and I’m willing to pay for it.”

However, Circuit Court Judge Joey Darrah rejected the guilty plea after finding there wasn’t a factual basis to support it.

McFate testified Monday that, as he told officers at the scene, he’d drank very little that day. Further, a breath test administered at the jail roughly four hours after the crash put his blood alcohol content at 0.01% — well below the 0.08% legal limit for driving — and results of a blood test are still pending.

As a result, “I do not have sufficient information to prove the case at this point,” Deputy Park County Prosecuting Attorney Larry Eichele told the court.

The prosecutor suggested that McFate be released on his own recognizance to await further proceedings and Darrah agreed. While on bond, McFate will be subject to supervised alcohol testing, among other conditions.