Shaniah Chee/Tamaira Begay
Sept. 15, 2:11 am
Aggravated DWI
McKinley County Sheriff Sgt. Elreno Henio said he was dispatched to a one-vehicle accident near the interchange at Yah-Ta-Hey.
When he got there, he found the car had crashed into the center concrete barrier. Shaniah Chee, 24, of Tempe, Ariz., told him that three people at the scene were passengers in the vehicle and that the driver, a man, had fled the scene after the accident.
When Henio examined the vehicle, however, he found the driver’s seat pulled all the way forward to accommodate a short person. He said he also smelled the odor of intoxicating liquor coming from Chee’s person.
He asked the other two where they were sitting in the vehicle. One said in the front passenger seat and the other said in the rear left seat. Since the rear right seat was filled with merchandise, the only place left for Chee was the driver’s seat.
Once he told Chee of his conclusion, she admitted she was the driver. She also admitted she drank two glasses of wine earlier in the day.
She failed the standard field sobriety tests and was arrested for DWI. She agreed to take a breath alcohol test and posted two samples of .16 each.
One of the passengers, Tamaira Begay, 24, of Fort Defiance, was found to have an outstanding bench warrant and was also arrested.
Lisa Clark
Sept. 8, 11:00 pm
DWI
McKinley County Sheriff’s Dep. Alan Roane was dispatched to Highway 264 in connection with a report of a car traveling eastbound in the westbound lane.
When he got to the area, he found a car matching that description and did a traffic stop at the interchange at Yah-Ta-Hey. He advised Lisa Clark, 47, of Gallup of the reason for the stop.
He said he noticed that Clark showed signs of being intoxicated and asked if she had been drinking that night. She admitted to drinking five beers. He then asked if she would take the standard field sobriety tests and she at first said no, since she had already admitted she had been drinking.
She eventually agreed to take the tests, but had problems and quit, at which time she was charged with DWI. She later agreed to take the breath alcohol test and posted samples of .24 and .24.
Shaun Bradley
Sept. 7, 8:16 am
DWI
McKinley County Sheriff’s Dep. Clayton Etsitty said he was on routine patrol traveling on U.S. Highway 491 when a car passing him pulled in front of him forcing him to put on his brakes and slow down.
He then did a traffic stop on the vehicle and talked to Shaun Bradley, 29, of Kayenta, who told him he was tired. He said he was coming from the casino and had been drinking earlier in the day, but his last drink was at 1:30 pm.
Since Bradley appeared to be confused during the interview, Etsitty asked if he would take the standard field sobriety tests and he agreed. He failed the test and was arrested for DWI.
He later agreed to take a breath alcohol test and posted samples of .10 and .09.
Terrell Yazzie
Sept. 6, 7:52 pm
Aggravated DWI
McKinley County Sheriff’s Dep. Clayton Etsitty was dispatched to the Dead Horse Speedway after a report of a possible drunk driver was called in. When he got there, he saw a car driving out of the parking lot.
He put on his sirens to stop it, but the driver kept going until another deputy pulled in front of it. Terrell Yazzie, 20, of Iyanbito, immediately got out of the car and was placed in handcuffs. Metro Dispatch then informed the officers that Yazzie had an outstanding bench warrant.
He denied drinking any liquor that night, but admitted to smoking marijuana. He said he could not take the standard field sobriety tests because of a bull riding injury and was then asked if he knew his ABCs to take the alternative tests, but he said he did not know them.
Since he was showing signs of impairment, he agreed to take the breath alcohol tests and posted samples of .26 and .22.
Shana Claw
Sept. 4, 2:00 am
DWI
McKinley County Sheriff’s Dep.Alan Roane was parked on U S. Highway 491 when he received a report of a possible drunk driver going north on the highway. He went in search of the vehicle and soon found it.
He then saw the vehicle cross the center line and conducted a traffic stop. Shana Claw, 23, of St. Michaels, said she was coming from Walmart heading home. She admitted that earlier in the evening she had been at a bar and her friend had advised her not to drive but she said she was fine to drive home.
Since she showed signs of being intoxicated, she was asked to take the standard field sobriety tests and agreed. After she failed, she was arrested for DWI.
She later agreed to take a breath alcohol test and posted samples of .12 and .11.
