Featured DWI
Armando Zamora
Dec. 26, 9:53 pm
DWI (Fourth)
McKinley County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a vehicle crash and eventually arrested Armando Zamora, 30, of Belen, for his fourth DWI.
Metro Dispatch received a call in reference to a silver Toyota RAV4 driving off Interstate 40 near the 24.5-mile marker. The caller reportedly saw the vehicle’s headlights turn and go down the hill, which was visible from a nearby store on Highway 118.
Gallup Police arrived at the site and located the RAV4 in a ditch about 200 yards south of the interstate. The vehicle was then under the jurisdiction of McKinley County or New Mexico State Police. MCSO Deputies Lorne Mahkee and Terence Willie were dispatched to the scene and met with Gallup officers.
Willie was advised Gallup Police met the driver, Zamora, and he was being helped from the crash by police and Gallup Fire Department staff to be transported to a local hospital. Willie checked the inside of the vehicle and found two miniature bottles of 99 Grape and a 12-oz. of Modelo.
Upon arriving at the hospital, Willie went to speak with Zamora, who allegedly was being disorderly with hospital staff. The report stated Zamora was in a neck brace but had no other injuries. He told Willie he was traveling to Los Lunas from Arizona and could not recall what had happened prior to the crash. According to his report, Willie saw that Zamora had bloodshot eyes, smelled of alcohol, and was slurring his speech, which are all signs of intoxication.
Zamora agreed to take the Standard Field Sobriety Tests and was given alternative tests. However, he performed poorly on the tests and was determined to be under the influence and he was arrested. Dispatch advised Willie that Zamora had three prior DWIs, so a blood warrant had to be obtained from Judge R. David Pederson and the draw was completed at the hospital.
After being released with no injuries, Zamora was transported to McKinley County Adult Detention Center and booked for DWI (fourth), failure to maintain traffic lane, duration of evidence, and an open container in a vehicle. His preliminary examination is set for March 8.
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Staff Reports
