FEATURED DWI

Kevin Joe Watson

Oct. 24, 7:18 pm

Aggravated DWI

A traffic stop for speeding turned into a drunk driver arrest in Yatahey.

McKinley County Sheriff’s Deputy Terence Willie was traveling southbound on U.S. Highway 491 when he saw a white GMC Sierra traveling north near the six-mile marker. The Sierra was traveling 72 mph in a 55-mph zone, so Willie turned around to follow it.

Willie conducted a traffic stop at the Family Dollar store, 24 Hwy. 264, in Yatahey, where he met the driver, Kevin Watson, 32, of Yatahey. As Watson handed over his driver’s license and registration, Willie noted he had bloodshot eyes and slurred speech. Willie also saw two other occupants in the vehicle who appeared to be intoxicated.

Watson said he was traveling to Twin Lakes from Gallup after picking up his cousin. Willie asked Watson if he had been drinking, and when Watson did not respond, he asked him to exit the truck. Watson remained silent when Willie asked again if he had been drinking.

Willie issued the standard field sobriety tests, which Watson failed. After placing Watson under arrest, Willie spoke with the other vehicle occupants who both said Watson had not been drinking. They were later released to family members.

Willie then checked the inside the Sierra, where he found two open containers of Importers Vodka. Watson was transported to the sheriff’s office for the breath test, where he posted two samples of .20 and .19.

Watson was then taken to Gallup Indian Medical Center for clearance. After making comments about hurting himself, nursing staff advised he be put on suicide watch. He was finally transported to McKinley County Adult Detention Center and booked for aggravated DWI, no insurance, having an open container, and speeding.