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WEEKLY DWI REPORT

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The legal limit is .08

Jacinda S. Saunders

Jan. 22, 2:21 am

DWI

One of the first things that Gallup Police Department Officer Andrew Thayer noticed when he approached Saunders vehicle was the open container of Corona sitting in the center console of her Pontiac G6.

He had pulled her over on east Hwy 66 for swerving into the bike lane and swerving into driving lanes without using her turn signal. She showcased the classic signs of intoxication – bloodshot, water eyes and the strong smell of booze wafting from the vehicle.

Saunders, 26, failed field sobriety tests and blew a .15, twice, during the breath tests.

James A. Day

Jan. 22, 6:46 pm

Aggravated DWI

Day caught GPD Officer Luke Martin’s attention while he drove his white Ford pickup truck down west Hwy 66 with no headlights on.

When Martin asked Day where he was headed to, he said that he was driving home to Twin Lakes. Martin asked why he was heading west, instead of north. Day said he was taking an alternative route, and pointed his finger south.

Martin noted in his police report that Day showed all the signs of intoxication. Day agreed to take field sobriety tests. When Martin patted him down for weapons, he located a 200 ml bottle of Southern Comfort that was three-quarters full.

Day, 25, failed the field sobriety tests and blew a .19 twice during breath tests.

Larraine Yazzie

Jan. 20, 3:12 am

DWI

Yazzie was pulled over by GPD Officer Darius Johnson shortly after he received a call of a grey colored vehicle that had left the scene of an accident. Johnson saw a vehicle matching that description and pulled Yazzie over at the intersection of Patton Drive and Hwy 66.

Johnson noted in his report that Yazzie had a open 24-ounce can of Budweiser Lime-a-Rita in the center console. She appeared intoxicated, and agreed to take the field sobriety tests.

Yazzie, 58, didn’t fare well on the tests and was booked for the DWI, in addition to being cited for open container, careless driving and “accidents involving damage to vehicle.” She blew a .16, twice, during the breath tests.

Yolanda Denetchee

Jan. 18, 4:44 pm

2nd DWI, Aggravated

As Denetchee backed out of a parking spot at Don Diego’s she bumped into another vehicle, according to GPD Officer Steven Peshlakai’s report. But before she could drive off, the driver of the other car got out and stopped her and called police.

Denetchee, 38, smelled of alcohol and kept moving her body as Peshlakai interviewed her about what happened. She did admit to hitting the other driver, saying she “nipped” his bumper as she backed out. Peshlakai noticed “the strong odor of alcoholic beverage coming from Yolanda’s breath.”

She admitted to having three beers. Dentchee agreed to take field sobriety tests, in which she failed. She refused to take the breath tests, earning her the aggravated status.

Nora Smith

Nov. 11, 7:36 pm

Aggravated DWI

Smith caught the attention of McKinley County Sheriff’s Office Inv. Merle Bates attention while he was working the DWI Task Force.

She was driving slowly, going about 20-25 mph on the Munoz overpass. When Bates ran the plate, the registration came back  as expired as of April 16. As Smith then turned west on to 1-40, Bates initiated a traffic stop.

When he approached her vehicle, he noted in his report that she appeared “dazed” and moved slowly and deliberately. She swayed when she walked and slurred as she spoke.

Smith, 48,  agreed to engage in field sobriety tests and failed. She refused to take the breath tests.

Louthella Lee

Nov. 6, 10:15 pm

Aggravated DWI

MCSO Deputy Lorenzo Guerrero was traveling on U.S. 491, directly behind Lee’s vehicle. Prior to reaching the intersection of South Chino Loop, he noticed that the Dodge utility vehicle Lee was driving had drifted onto the center median.

He pulled Lee over, and could immediately smell the odor of “intoxicating liquor” coming from her breath, he stated in his report. He noticed an open bottle of Bud Light in the middle cup holder as well. Lee admitted to drinking two beers before getting behind the wheel.

Lee, 46, engaged in the field sobriety tests, but refused to take the breath tests.

Bliss Halona Stark

Nov. 4, 1:37 am

Aggravated DWI

GPD Sgt. Anthony Seciwa was keeping an eye on the intersection of East Hill and South McKinley when he noticed a white SUV back out of a driveway and turn north onto South McKinley. He didn’t make a complete stop, so Seciwa headed to the intersection to pursue Stark.

As he approached the stop sign, and peered down South McKinley, he noticed Stark fly through the stop sign at the intersection of Aztec. As Seciwa tailed Stark, he noticed that he turned east onto to Coal without stopping at that stop sign. Stark continued to East Hwy 66. Seciwa initiated a traffic stop as he passed Good Fellas Lounge.

Stark  pulled over in the Duke City parking lot. From there, things got strange. He denied flying through the stop signs and told Seciwa that he didn’t see or follow him. Seciwa could smell alcohol wafting from the vehicle. He did agree to take field sobriety tests, which he failed. He blew a .17, twice, during the breath tests.

Readers: We publish EVERY DWI report that we come into contact with, no exceptions. We love and value our readers, but if you don’t want your mugshot to appear in the Gallup Sun, don’t drink and drive!