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WEEKLY DWI REPORT

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Melanie Sam

May 23, 8:06 pm

Aggravated DWI

Gallup Patrolman Richard Rangel was dispatched to 2500 Hwy. 602 just after 8 pm on May 23 in reference to a reckless driver in a gray Nissan Versa with a New Mexico license plate.

While en route, Rangel was told by Metro Dispatch that the vehicle in question was parked northbound on the side of the road across from Continental Divide Electric Cooperative. Rangel spotted the gray Nissan Versa and conducted a stop.

Rangel noted the vehicle was still running and the driver window was halfway down. He asked the driver, Melanie Sam, 28, of Gallup, to step out of the vehicle, during which she stumbled and caught herself.

When Sam was out of the vehicle, Rangel said she had bloodshot, watery eyes, slurred speech, and smelled like “intoxicating liquid.” Rangel asked Sam how much she had to drink, and she stated she had seven Budweiser’s.

Sam consented to the standard field sobriety test, but she had trouble keeping her balance and could not perform the walk-and-turn test to Rangel’s orders.

Rangel placed Sam under arrest for DWI and transported her to Gallup Police Department for the breath test, where she posted samples of .24 and .23.

Sam was then transported to Gallup Indian Medical Center for clearance, and finally to McKinley County Adult Detention Center for booking.

Darrow James

May 19, 2:15 am

Aggravated DWI

Gallup Patrolman Jerald Watchman was dispatched to the intersection of South Second Street and West Highway 66 after 2 am on May 19 in reference to a vehicle with an unconscious driver.

When Watchman arrived on the scene, he met State Police Officer Justin Maese. Maese told Watchman that he had spotted a Pontiac parked just before the railroad crossing for an extended period of time. Maese conducted a traffic stop, during which he noticed the driver and passenger were passed out in the Pontiac.

Maese said he pulled the driver, Darrow James, 25, of Gallup, out of the vehicle, and stood by for Gallup police.

Watchman took over the investigation and was assisted by Gallup Police Officer Richard Rangel.

Watchman asked the driver for identification, but was told he had none. The driver gave the name Mike James to Watchman, but later revealed that Mike was his middle name. James told Watchman he was traveling north after picking up his friend, the passenger, at Sammy C’s Rock ‘N Sports Pub and Grille.

Rangel placed the passenger in his unit while Watchman gave James the standard field sobriety test, which James failed. Watchman also noted James had bloodshot, watery eyes and the smell of intoxicating liquor on him.

James was placed under arrest for DWI, and refused to consent to a breath test.

Valaria Pete

May 18, 6:31 pm

Aggravated DWI

Gallup Patrolman Richard Rangel was dispatched to the intersection of E. Hwy. 66 and Boardman Drive after 6 pm on May 18 in reference to a three-car crash in the eastbound lane.

Gallup Sgt. Terrance Peyketewa and Gallup Police Officers Adrian Quetawki and Domenic Molina were on scene when Rangel arrived. Peyketewa told Rangel said that the three drivers had been arguing after the crash, and that the driver of a white Lincoln passenger car with an Arizona license plate was possibly intoxicated.

The driver of the white Lincoln, Valaria Pete, 25, of Gallup, had trouble keeping her balance, Rangel said. Pete also had bloodshot, watery eyes and slurred speech.

Pete did not consent to the standard field sobriety test but did agree to the breath test, and she was placed under arrest by Rangel.

However, Pete was not able to blow into the breathalyzer correctly at Gallup Police Department. She was transported to Gallup Indian Medical Center for clearance, where a nurse had Pete blow into an RBT and she posted a sample of .10, and then to McKinley County Adult Detention Center for booking.

Daniel King

May 17, 3:39 pm

Aggravated DWI

After hearing about an intoxicated driver in a maroon Nissa Versa with a New Mexico license plate, Gallup Patrolman Caleb Kleeberger was dispatched to Dickey’s BBQ Pit, 3900 E. Hwy. 66, after 3 pm on May 17.

Upon arriving at the restaurant, Kleeberger saw the vehicle in question pull out of the restaurant drive-thru and head west towards the Shell gas station parking lot. Kleeberger pulled up to the vehicle and made contact with the driver, Daniel King, 35, of Ft. Defiance.

Kleeberger said King had bloodshot, watery eyes and slurred speech. There was an empty 24-ounce Coors Light can in the center console as well.

As Kleeberger began asking King about his condition, a passenger in the vehicle got out and began talking over Kleeberger. The passenger also appeared to be intoxicated, Kleeberger noted, and was detained so the investigation could continue.

King had admitted to drinking at Applebee’s earlier that day, and consented to the standard field sobriety test. King had trouble keeping his balance as he stood, and refused to do any more tests after failing the walk-and-turn test.

Kleeberger placed King under arrest for DWI and transported him to Gallup Police Department, where he posted two samples of .23. King was then transported to McKinley County Adult Detention Center for booking.