Nick Goepper confesses to throwing rocks at cars

HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Ind. (Deb Dixon) -- Anxiety and depression were the reasons why Olympic medal-winning skier Nick Goepper piled rocks by the side of the road and spent an August night throwing them at cars.  

Eight drivers reported being hit by rocks while driving through the Hidden Valley Lake community in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. There were no suspects until Nick Goepper came forward and confessed, even though his attorney told him to wait and see if police came to him.  

"We're not like that," was what the family told the Dearborn County prosecutor when they came in with Nick to accept responsibility for what happened.

"Nick described a depression he felt, as if he wanted to quit skiing. It didn't make sense to him," said Prosecutor Aaron Negangard. "That night, he had an anxiety attack."

Negangard said Nick got help, he agreed to pay restitution, and was charged with criminal mischief.  He's in diversion, which means if he stays out of trouble the charge disappears in a year. While home for the holidays Goepper met with victims to apologize. Terri Randall is the mother of one of them.

"He was detailed about what he was going through and apologized," said Randall. "I told him not to let this change his life, we all make mistakes, we love him as a community and support him and are proud of him not just because he won a medal, but because he made a choice to step up."

At Perfect North Slopes where Goepper leaned to ski, Chip Perfect said what Nick did showed his true character.

"He said he messed up." Chip said. "I'm not surprised. That's the responsible Nick Goepper I know."

Goepper helped plan a Rail Jam skiing competition at Perfect North the day after Christmas.  The event will raise money for charities, including The Cure Starts Now, in honor of another local athlete, Lauren Hill.

Goepper released a statement that said, "I apologize to my family, fans, sponsors and fellow athletes for my actions.  Through this experience I have learned more about myself, including my responsibility as a role model athlete.  I'm deeply appreciative of the support provided by those around me.  I have had the opportunity to apologize to those affected by my actions in person, but please allow me this opportunity to apologize publicly to those affected by my actions.  I assure you that what I did was completely out of character and will not happen again.  Again, I am truly sorry for what I have done."

Randall said, "We have to forgive him, and allow him to move on and grow from this."

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