Sharon Bennett
Dec. 1, 1:48 am
Aggravated DWI (Second)
An eastbound vehicle was seen driving with no headlights near the Continental Divide. McKinley County Sheriff’s Deputy Terence Willie traveled to the scene and found a green Honda CR-V going east with its headlamps off. At Willie’s approach the headlights went on. Willie approached and conducted a traffic stop.
He met the driver, Sharon Bennett, 44, of Continental Divide, who staggered as she exited the vehicle. Willie noted other signs of intoxication, including slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, and a smell of alcohol. He saw an open container of Mike’s Hard Lemonade in the center console.
Bennett told Willie she was traveling home and admitted to consuming two twelve-hour Bud Lights at 11 pm the night before. She agreed to take the Standard Field Sobriety Tests, but she performed poorly and was placed under arrest.
She agreed to give a breath sample and was transported to the sheriff’s office for the test. After posting samples of .23 and .22, Bennett was taken to McKinley County Adult Detention Center and booked for aggravated DWI, no headlights, no financial responsibility, and having an open container.
Bennett was released on her own recognizance by Judge Cynthia Sanders.
Sheridan Bitsie
Aug. 25, 4:15 pm
DWI
Two vehicles collided near the intersection of Ford Drive and East Green Avenue. Gallup Officer Vincent Thompson arrived at the scene and saw a white Ford passenger car and white Honda Civic, and met with one of the drivers, Sheridan Bitsie, 24, of Gallup.
While Thompson spoke to him, Bitsie became disorderly with the party of the other vehicle and had to be led away to get him to stop shouting. Thompson observed Bitsie was slurring his speech and his face was flushed. He also swayed as he stood and smelled of alcohol.
Bitsie said he had not consumed any alcohol and agreed to take the Standard Field Sobriety Tests. He was issued alternative tests after saying his leg hurt, but he still performed poorly on the tests, and was placed under arrest.
Thompson transported Bitsie to the Gallup Police Department after he agreed to the breath test, where he posted samples of .24, .21, and .22. He was then taken to Gallup Indian Medical Center for clearance, but had to be admitted due to his medical condition.
The report said a summons would be filed. No other information is available.
Lorissa Begay
Aug. 24, 2:24 pm
Aggravated DWI
A black SUV collided with the sidewalk on Miyamura Overpass, which led to Gallup Officer Vincent Thompson being dispatched to conduct a welfare check.
He arrived at the scene and met the driver, Lorissa Begay, 26, of Cortez, Colo., who was upset and said she had been struck on the passenger side of her vehicle. But as she spoke, Thompson noted she slurred her speech and asked if she had been drinking. Begay said no and agreed to take alternative tests after stating she had an injury.
Begay performed poorly on the tests. Thompson then spoke with a witness at the scene, who said they saw Begay drive her vehicle southbound into oncoming traffic on the overpass and then swerve back into the proper lane, before striking the pavement.
Based on the investigation and witness statement, Thompson placed Begay under arrest. She agreed to take the breath test and was transported to Gallup Police Department, where she posted two samples of .18.
She was transported to McKinley County Adult Detention Center and booked for aggravated DWI, consuming alcohol in a vehicle, and driving in the wrong lane.
Begay was released on her own recognizance by Judge Robert Ionta.
Eddy McCray
Aug. 22, 8:48 pm
Aggravated DWI
A silver GM truck struck a fixed light pole near exit 22 on Miyamura Overpass and left the scene. Gallup Officer Warren Bowannie was parked nearby and caught up with the truck.
Bowannie pulled the vehicle over two miles down the road and conducted a traffic stop. He met driver, Eddy McCray, 61, of Mentmore, who did not appear cooperative at first. Bowannie observed McCray had bloodshot eyes and smelled of alcohol and had him exit the truck, during which he swayed in place.
McCray said he consumed three 12-oz. bottles of Corona beer prior to driving. He refused to take the Standard Field Sobriety Tests and also refused to give a breath sample. Metro Dispatch informed Bowannie that McCray had five prior convictions. His vehicle was towed from the scene while he was transported to Gallup Police Department for a blood draw.
After the draw was finished, McCray was taken to McKinley County Adult Detention Center and booked for aggravated DWI, driving in roadways laned for traffic, striking a fixture, leaving the scene of a collision, and driving with a suspended license.
McCray was released on his own recognizance by Judge Robert Ionta.
Natasha Billy
Aug. 22, 1:27 am
Aggravated DWI
A truck filled with six passengers who all appeared to be drinking, was seen leaving Sports Page Bar, which is where Gallup Officer Warren Bowannie found the vehicle. The driver attempted to leave, but stopped once Bowannie activated his unit’s emergency lights and conducted a traffic stop.
He met the driver, Natasha Billy, 32, of Gallup, who he said had bloodshot eyes and swayed as she stood. Billy said she was traveling from El Capitan over to Sports Page to pick up her aunt and admitted to having drunk three Corona beers. She agreed to take the Standard Field Sobriety Tests.
Billy had trouble following directions and performed poorly on the tests and was placed under arrest. The vehicle was picked up by a family member while Billy was transported to Gallup Police Department after she agreed to the breath test. She posted two samples of .17.
Bowannie then transported Billy to McKinley County Adult Detention Center, where she was booked for aggravated DWI, an open container, a suspended license, duration of evidence, and no registration.
Billy posted $184 bond.