Suspect in marijuana bust allegedly injures another MAN
A Gallup man is facing charges after a car accident that left another man severely injured.
Gallup Police Officer Cindy Romancito was called to the intersection of Ford Drive and Mesa Avenue around 12 pm on Aug. 26 after a man named Charles Paul Murphy reportedly crashed his vehicle into another man’s car while under the influence of marijuana.
According to her report, when Romancito arrived at the scene she found a white GMC Sierra facing southbound on Ford Drive with heavy front-end damage. Fluid was leaking out of the truck and its airbags had been deployed.
Another truck, a red GMCS SV was facing westbound on a private property. It had damage on its left side and the airbags had been deployed.
When Romancito approached the red truck, she was told that the elderly man who was driving the truck at the time of the accident was having trouble breathing. Romancito was able to speak to the man, and he said he was hurting.
The Gallup Fire Department was able to get the man out of his vehicle, and he was transported to a local hospital. He had multiple injuries, including a broken pelvis, a bleeding spleen, and multiple brain bleeds. His injuries were deemed life-threatening and he was scheduled to fly out to the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. However, his flight was initially delayed because of bad weather.
As for 32-year-old Murphy, Romancito talked to him after the GFD rescued the victim from his car. When Romancito talked to Murphy, she told him that a tow truck would come for his truck.
Murphy told Romancito that he hadn’t been drinking that day, but that he had smoked some marijuana. He refused to do a Field Sobriety Test. When Romancito asked why he didn’t want to be tested Murphy replied with “I’m OK.”
Romancito reportedly learned that Murphy had three prior offenses, so a blood test was required. Murphy was transported to a local hospital for the blood test, but he refused any other medical treatment.
Once the blood test was done, Romancito drove Murphy to the Gallup Police Department to complete his booking paperwork. As Romancito was doing the paperwork Murphy began yelling, banging on the walls and doors, and talking loudly.
In her report Romancito noted that Murphy did smell of intoxicating liquor. She also noted that he was unsteady on his feet, swaying backward and forward, and he was uncooperative. He reportedly kept repeating himself when he was asked questions and then he got angry with himself for doing so.
Murphy was charge with great bodily harm by vehicle. His case was moved to district court on Aug. 22. A pretrial date had not been set by press time.
Staff Reports
