Featured DWI
Larry Yazzie
May 23, 12:03 am
DWI (Fourth)
A wide turn and near collision in downtown Gallup led to Larry Yazzie, 49, of Mentmore, being arrested for his fourth DWI.
Gallup Officer Vincent Thompson was patrolling near the intersection of Aztec Avenue and Second Street when he saw a blue Chevrolet car drive from the parking lot of Camille’s Sidewalk Cafe at 306 S. Second St., making a wide turn onto Aztec Avenue and driving westbound. The Chevrolet swerved across the yellow line as it approached the intersection of Fifth Street and Aztec Avenue.
The suspect vehicle continued to Munoz Overpass, where it merged and traveled northbound, nearly colliding with the sidewalk in the process. Thompson followed the vehicle onto Interstate 40 at exit 20, activated his unit’s emergency lights and conducted a traffic stop near mile marker 21.5.
Thompson met the driver, Yazzie, and immediately saw numerous signs of intoxication including bloodshot eyes, a strong smell of alcohol and Yazzie slurring his speech. After being advised of these signs, Yazzie agreed to take the Standard Field Sobriety Tests.
Yazzie performed poorly on the initial tests before agreeing to take the alternative tests, which he also struggled to perform. In the middle of the tests, Yazzie said he consumed a six-pack of Coors Light at Sports Page Bar about two hours prior to driving. Thompson checked the inside of his vehicle and found six open 12-oz. bottles, with even more bottles strewn throughout the floor in the front and rear of the vehicle. The report listed 18 bottles in total.
Based on his investigation, Thompson placed Yazzie under arrest for DWI. Metro Dispatch advised Thompson that Yazzie had three prior DWIs, so a blood warrant was needed. After getting the blood draw warrant signed by District Judge Louis DePauli, Thompson transported Yazzie to Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Services for the draw and to obtain medical clearance after he said he had trouble breathing.
Following the draw, Yazzie was transported to McKinley County Adult Detention Center and booked for DWI (fourth), driving on divided highways, no driver’s license, expired registration, and having an open container. His arraignment hearing is set for July 11.
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