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Weekly DWI Report

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Featured DWI

Derrick James Tapaha

Jan. 1, 8:08 pm

Aggravated DWI (Seventh)

Driving without headlights resulted in a Pine Hill man, Derrick Tapaha, 42, being arrested and adding to a lengthy list of DWI charges.

Gallup Officer Vincent Thompson was traveling eastbound on Highway 66 when he saw a silver Ford Hatchback traveling westbound with its headlights turned off. Thompson saw the vehicle turn on its headlights as it passed his unit and he turned around. He caught up to the vehicle near the intersection of Highway 66 and Industry Road and followed it into the lot of West End Deli at 3030 W. Hwy. 66.

Thompson met the driver, Tapaha, and informed him of the reason for the stop. Thompson saw Tapaha  reportedly show signs of intoxication including bloodshot eyes and slurred speech as he said he was dropping off his brother at a truck stop. The report also noted an open box of Natural Ice in the backseat of the vehicle along with several open cans.

Tapaha exited the vehicle on Thompson’s command and allegedly told him he had “a couple” drinks of Bud Light and the open box and cans in the backseat belonged to his brother. Tapaha agreed to take the Standard Field Sobriety Tests, but he performed poorly on the tests and was placed under arrest.

Metro Dispatch advised Thompson that Tapaha had six prior DWI charges in New Mexico. After obtaining a signed blood warrant from Judge Cynthia Sanders, Thompson transported Tapaha to a local hospital for the blood draw.

After the draw was completed, Tapaha was transported to McKinley County Adult Detention Center and booked for aggravated DWI (seventh), driving without headlights, no license, and an open container. His arraignment hearing is set for March 13.

Name: Chelsea Troncoso

Age: 30

Arrested: Feb. 24

Charge: Aggravated DWI (second)

Status: Pre-trial hearing on March 28

Name: Kenisha Gorman

Age: 19

Arrested: Jan. 27

Charge: Aggravated DWI

Status: Pre-trial hearing on March 7

Name: Mario Rodriguez

Age: 31

Arrested: Jan. 27

Charge: Aggravated DWI

Status: Pre-trial hearing on March 14

Name: Gerad Skeets

Age: 30

Arrested: Jan. 25

Charge: DWI

Status: Motion hearing on March 7

Name: Jordan Soltero

Age: 36

Arrested: Dec. 31

Charge: Aggravated DWI (Second)

Status: Pre-trial hearing on March 21

Name: Yvette Joe

Age: 36

Arrested: Dec. 13

Charge: Aggravated DWI

Status: Final pre-trial hearing on April 12

Staff Reports