John Robert Emerson, 25, Gallup, NM
Aug. 9, 1:01 am
A low speed pursuit on the streets of Gallup, reaching a top speed pursuit of 40 mph – from near R&M Furniture to 1511 Gold Ave – earned Emerson a DWI and evading an officer arrest. He had stolen his girlfriend’s car and blew through a stop sign before he eventually pulled over and tried to take off on foot. What likely kept the chase at low speed was a flat tire, according to the police report. Officer Victor Rodriguez didn’t have to chase Emerson or taser him. The taser malfunctioned and a good old-fashioned tackle immediately diffused the situation.
Larro Begay, 23, Sheep Springs, NM
Aug. 12, 8:29 pm
Officer Troncoso responded to a rollover vehicle crash near 2522 E. Highway 66, which according to the police report, may have been the result of the passenger Dallas (Delvin) Tsosie grabbing the steering wheel during an argument between he and Begay. But, it wasn’t enough to let Begay, who was intoxicated and sans shirt, off the hook. A mother and two children were banged up in the accident, and according to the mother, Begay and Tsosie had been arguing loudly at the Duke City gas station and in the car. So, Begay was charged with DWI, open container and two counts of child abuse. His breath tests revealed a BAC of 0.20 and 0.18.
Vanessa Largo, 26, Churchrock, NM
Aug. 13, 3:35 pm
This drunk driver tried to blame a truck swerving on the road as the reason she slammed into a light pole, downing it in proximity to the I-40, exit 26 off ramp. It turns out that one Budweiser too many was the blame. According to Gallup Police Department Officer Chaz Troncoso, Largo said she had downed two, 12-ounce bottles of beer. An investigation of the scene, compared to Largo’s story, determined that no other vehicles caused the accident. She was given field sobriety tests, and failed. She blew a 0.17 and 0.16 (Blood Alcohol Content), more than double the legal limit.
Wilanda Martine. 32, Vanderwagen, NM
Aug. 14, 9:13 pm
2nd DWI, Aggravated
According to McKinley County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Tammy Houghtaling, Martine burst into tears when she asked her to roll down her window, which reportedly did not roll down. “She stated that she had been drinking and began to cry.” Martine was driving on a suspended license from a previous DWI and did not produce proof of insurance or current registration. The report stated that she had consumed four Budweiser beers at Sammy C’s and left because “a girl and punched her in the face.” She also consumed a Mike’s Harder Lemonade while driving. Her breath test revealed a BAC of 0.20 and 0.18. In addition to her DWI, she was charged with possessing an open container of booze and lesser charges.
Forlancio W. Yazzie, 26, Crownpoint, NM
Aug. 15, 6:45 pm
2nd DWI, Aggravated
Yazzie may have been sitting on a porch when GPD Officer Cindy Romancito was called by other officers to 668 Hazel Dr. to question him, but she wasn’t the first on the scene and was already briefed and ready to question Yazzie. He admitted to slamming a shot of whiskey and downing three beers. He denied operating a vehicle, and was immediately handcuffed. It turns out, according to a witness, that he was engaging in some reckless driving in the neighborhood and hit a fence post. Yazzie refused take the mandated breath test. The police report also states that a green-colored pipe was taken into evidence. So, in addition to a DWI charge, his line up of offenses include driving without a license, with an open container of alcohol, no insurance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Andrew Loy, 28, Lupton, Ariz.
Aug. 23, 2:54 am
As Loy ran a red light, heading east bound on Highway 66, he caught the attention of MCSO Deputy Gabrielle Puhuyesva. The rest was a dead give away – the bloodshot eyes, smell of booze and open containers in the vehicles and it was nearly a done deal. The failure to pass field sobriety tests and refusal to take the required breath test landed Loy his first aggravated DWI charge, along with running the red light and “open container” in his vehicle.
In New Mexico, it is illegal to drive with a breath or blood alcohol concentration of .08 or more if you’re 21 or over, or .02 if you’re under 21, or .04 if you drive a commercial vehicle. - MVD New Mexico.