Driver was allegedly drunk

One Church Rock man decided to drive while intoxicated, and caused a multi-vehicle collision.

On April 1, Gallup Police Officer Matthew Strandy was dispatched to the intersection of Highway 491 and Maloney Avenue due to a white Ford truck that had caused a six vehicle accident. The driver: Gary Largo of Church Rock.

According to the caller, several people had been injured and the driver of the truck was trying to flee the scene.

When Strandy got to the scene around 9:06 pm, he saw several vehicles that all had major damage.

According to the criminal complaint he filed, Strandy began checking each person who was involved in the crash for injuries. He also checked each vehicle to make sure no one was trapped inside and possibly needing medical attention.

Strandy was able to talk to one of the drivers of the vehicles. The female victim explained that the man in the white Ford truck was trying to leave the scene, and he kept putting his truck in reverse.

However, his truck’s front end was severely damaged, so he was unable to leave.

After talking to the female victim, Strandy approached the white F-150 truck. He saw a Native American man, who was later identified as Largo in the driver seat.

When Strandy opened the truck’s driver side door, he could smell alcohol coming from the vehicle and Largo himself. He leaned in to speak to Largo, who complained of chest pain. When Largo spoke, Strandy could smell alcohol on his breath.

Strandy also noticed an open 12 oz. can of Coors Light on the floor board by Largo’s feet.

Largo stayed in the truck because Strandy was worried that he might have a chest injury. Next, he was transported to a local hospital by ambulance. Gallup Police Officer Ryan Boucher followed the ambulance, and conducted a DWI investigation at the hospital.

According to Strandy’s report, Largo admitted he ran a red light at the intersection. He was traveling southbound on Highway 491 and ran the red light at Maloney Avenue.

The second driver involved in the crash told Strandy that she had been driving eastbound on Maloney Avenue, and she had been trying to make a left turn when Largo hit her car.

The woman was able to exit her car uninjured, however her car had major front-end damage.

A second victim said her car was hit after Largo had hit the other vehicles. She had also been trying to make a left turn.

The woman was taken to the hospital for some minor injuries to her right wrist. Her car had major damage to the front of it.

A third victim became involved when Largo’s truck struck the driver’s side of his vehicle while he was also trying to make a left turn. The rear axle from the driver’s side of the man’s car had fallen off, which meant the man could no longer drive his car. The man had no injuries and left the scene with his uncle.

A fourth victim was hit by the second victim’s car, which caused damage to the driver’s side door. The victim’s car’s front end was also damaged, but she was able to drive away from the scene. She had no injuries.

The fifth victim was waiting to turn left onto Maloney Avenue when she saw the collision happen. The second victim’s car ended up hitting her car, which left damage to the driver’s side door.

Although the front end of the fifth victim’s car was damaged, she was able to drive away on her own, and she didn’t have any injuries.

The final victim was stopped at the red light when the accident happened. The third victim’s car made contact with the final victim’s car, causing damage to the driver’s side doors.

The final victim had no injuries and was able to drive away.

Based on the victims’ reports and what he saw at the scene, Strandy was able to conclude that Largo was at fault for the crash. According to Strandy’s report, Largo will be summoned into court for a DWI, failure to yield, and reckless driving. A court date hasn’t been set as of publication.

Staff Reports