Featured DWI
Cheryl Yazzie
March 24, 10:00 am
DWI (Fourth)
A call came into Metro Dispatch of a drunk driver, Cheryl Yazzie, 38, of Crownpoint, in a drive-thru of a Gallup restaurant, which led to her being arrested for her fourth DWI.
Gallup Officer Jerald Watchman was dispatched to the restaurant and learned the suspect vehicle left the scene. Another call came into Dispatch stating the vehicle was seen in the parking lot of Ellis Tanner Trading Company, 1980 Hwy. 602, before traveling east on Highway 66. Watchman followed the call directions and found the vehicle in the parking lot of Fairfield Inn & Suites at 3510 E. Hwy. 66.
Watchman met the driver, Yazzie, who admitted to being intoxicated and was going to drive to Crownpoint to drop off the passengers in her vehicle. Yazzie showed signs of intoxication including bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and smelling of alcohol.
Other officers arrived to tend to the other passengers while Watchman spoke to Yazzie, who also swayed as she stood. Yazzie agreed to take the Standard Field Sobriety Tests but was given alternate tests after saying she had a leg injury.
Yazzie performed poorly on the tests. Watchman determined she was too impaired to drive and placed her under arrest. Watchman learned Yazzie had three prior DWIs, so he obtained a warrant for a blood draw that was signed by an unspecified judge.
After the blood draw was performed, Yazzie was transported to the Gallup Indian Medical Center for clearance and was then taken to McKinley County Adult Detention Center and booked for DWI (fourth). The preliminary examination was set for April 27.
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Age: 37
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Age: 57
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Charge: Aggravated DWI (misdemeanor)
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