Featured DWI
Leroy Parker
May 20, 4:27 pm
Aggravated DWI (Third)
A two-vehicle crash led to Leroy Parker, 53, no address listed, being arrested for his third DWI.
McKinley County Deputy Frank Villa was dispatched to the intersection of Cedar Bluff Road and State Highway 118 after a call came in reporting the collision. He arrived at the scene and found a man, later identified as Parker, standing next to a green Ford F-150 with front end damage to its passenger bumper. Villa found a woman in the second vehicle who needed help exiting the vehicle and complained of neck pain.
The woman told Villa she was driving westbound on State Highway 118 about to pass Cedar Bluff Road when she saw Parker’s vehicle drive up from Cedar Bluff and make a wide turn onto the highway, crossing into her lane.
She moved to the side as far as she could, but had limited space and the two vehicles crashed.
Villa spoke to Parker next, whom he observed showing signs of intoxication including bloodshot eyes and slurred speech. Parker first answered “no” when asked if he was involved in the crash and then answered “yes” when he was asked again. He repeated the answers when asked if he had consumed any alcohol, specifying he drank a bottle of Budweiser two days prior.
Parker said he was parked on Cedar Bluff Road when the second vehicle crashed into his and the driver tried to flee the scene but he was able to stop her. He stated she tried to bribe him with money and he took her keys away. The woman’s keys were still in his vehicle, so Parker was detained until paramedics arrived.
When Villa returned to check on Parker, he smelled alcohol coming from his person. Parker then stated he consumed two unspecified beers sometime before driving. He agreed to take the Standard Field Sobriety Tests, but became angry and agitated as he was examined by the medical staff. Parker began yelling he was being arrested for not being white and began threatening Villa.
His actions were taken as a refusal, and based on his refusal as well as the investigation of the scene, Villa placed Parker under arrest.
Parker was transported to McKinley County Sheriff’s Office for the breath test, where he posted two samples of .26. He continued to be aggressive and vulgar towards officers as he was transported to Gallup Indian Medical Center for clearance before being transported to the county jail and booked for aggravated DWI (third), improper turning at an intersection, and having an open container.
The pre-trial hearing is set for June 20.
Name: Lehman Smith
Age: 35
Arrested: May 15
Charge: Aggravated DWI
Status: Pre-trial hearing on June 30
Name: Bryceton Tsosie
Age: 21
Arrested: May 12
Charge: Aggravated DWI
Status: Pre-trial hearing on June 9
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