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NMSP vehicle struck by wrong-way DWI driver

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GRANTS — On October 13, 2015 around 7 pm, Motor Transportation Bureau Officer Oscar Destea was working a vehicle crash on Interstate 40 at milepost 95 westbound. During this time, the New Mexico State Police dispatch received a call reporting a wrong-way driver traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes of Interstate 40 near milepost 91.

Cibola County Sheriff deputies located the vehicle and attempted to stop the vehicle but the vehicle continued eastbound in the westbound lanes approaching the crash where Officer Destea was located.  As the wrong-way driver continued, the vehicle subsequently struck Officer Destea’s unoccupied police vehicle.

The driver, identified as Todd H. Bobelu , 48, of Zuni, NM, then stopped and attempted to flee on foot from the scene. Bobelu was apprehended by New Mexico State Police officers and was subsequently arrested.

Officer Destea was uninjured and no other injuries were reported. Bobelu was charged with DWI, Driving with a Revoked License, Reckless Driving, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, and Open Container of Alcohol. He was booked into the Cibola County Detention Center.