Accused construction sign hacker turns himself in

HOUSTON

The Texas Department of Transportation sign on Louisiana and Prairie originally showed the word 'Detour' in order to steer drivers past construction. Then an alleged hacker changed it to say 'Poop.' The sign was again changed to a smiley face and 'LOL.'

But Denver Hopkins told Eyewitness News he did not hack the TxDOT sign computer, rather he says that the box was left open and unattended.

"I took a message that was funny, but maybe slightly offensive, and removed it and replaced it with one I thought better represented my neighborhood -- I put smiley face LOL on the sign and I'm here to take responsibility for it," Hopkins told us.

Hopkins turned himself in at the TxDOT location at I-10 and Old Katy Road.

TxDOT isn't laughing out loud. It's warning that road sign hackers can be fined up to $500.

The sign has been changed back to 'Detour' now.

Thanks to a viewer for sending us the above photo through our iWitness reports.