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You are here: News Public Safety Man crashes into motel, gets fourth DWI

Man crashes into motel, gets fourth DWI

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George Touchine, 69, of Tohatchi, NM was arrested July 5 after he drove a vehicle into a room at the Zia Motel on east 66.

According to the criminal complaint filed by Gallup Police Department Officer Timothy Hughte, he was called to the Zia Motel around 7:44 pm and arrived there to see a black Ford passenger vehicle halfway inside of a motel room.

Touchine was in the driver’s seat, and had to climb to the backseat to get out of the vehicle. Witnesses said that they removed the keys from the vehicle after he had driven into the room a second time.

Several witnesses came forward regarding the crash, according to the complaint. One male said he was standing outside with his friend when it occurred.

“He saw a black vehicle back up from a parking spot in the Zia Motel. The vehicle left the parking lot ... and on the way he crashed into a light pole that was in front of [the] Zia Motel. The black vehicle got onto Highway 66, did a u-turn and came back into the parking lot,” Hughte wrote in his complaint.

The witnesses goes on to describe the events of that evening to the officer:

“The vehicle came into the parking lot at full speed and crashed into a room at the Zia Motel on the Northwest area of the motel. The driver of the vehicle backed up and crashed into another [white passenger] vehicle, [which was] parked and unoccupied. The white passenger vehicle was pushed into the building and over a parking barrier. The driver of the black passenger vehicle then proceeded forward at full speed and crashed into the same room in a different part of it.”

According to the complaint, the first crash was in the bedroom area of the motel room, where two occupants were at. The crash pushed the female victim “away from the bed.” She told officers that she had seen the vehicle coming towards the room and “that she did not have enough time to get her brother out of the way.”

One of her brothers was struck and taken to a local hospital. His condition is unknown, except that he was unable to give a statement to police. The sister was treated and released at the scene. Her other brother, who was also registered to the room, was working at a nearby Taco Bell and witnessed the crash occur.

Hughte stated in his complaint that Touchine did have a faint smell of alcohol coming from his breath, was slightly slurring his speech and needed assistance walking; although he does use a cane for walking, according to the complaint.

Touchine was also examined for his injuries and taken to a local hospital for a blood draw, due to his refusal to take field sobriety tests.

He was arrested and booked for DUI, his fourth or subsequent offense; two counts of aggravated battery where great bodily harm is caused by a motor vehicle; and criminal damage to property, over $1,000. He was also booked on being unable to produce registration, insurance and a license.