Staff Reports
Featured DWI
April 20, 4:09 pm
Aggravated DWI (Third)
New Mexico State Police pulled over a vehicle that was speeding and eventually arrested a Prewitt woman for her third DWI.
Officer Merlin Benally was patrolling on U.S. Highway 491 near the 2.5-mile marker when he observed a white Chevrolet Impala traveling southbound at a high speed, cutting off another vehicle and swerving between lanes without slowing down. He turned to follow the vehicle, which eventually stopped near mile marker 2.
Benally met the driver, Jessica Sardo, 34, who acknowledged her driving behavior and reportedly apologized for speeding. As Sardo spoke, she also reportedly showed signs of intoxication including bloodshot eyes and smelling of alcohol. Sardo appeared nervous and had trouble responding to Benally’s instructions.
Sardo eventually exited the vehicle on command and admitted to drinking a small portion of an unspecified type of alcohol prior to driving. She agreed to take the Standard Field Sobriety Tests, but she performed poorly and was placed under arrest. Afterwards, Sardo became argumentative and claimed her Fifth Amendment rights, refusing to take the breath test.
As Benally transported her to the local state police office, he was advised that Sardo had two prior DWI charges. After completing the paperwork, he then transported her to the McKinley County Adult Detention Center, where Sardo was booked for aggravated DWI (third), careless driving, driving with no license, and no insurance.
Her pretrial hearing is set for May 19.
Name: Ronald Gene
Age: 64
Arrested: April 23
Charge: DWI (Second)
Status: Pretrial hearing on June 2
Name: Wacey Delgarito
Age: 34
Arrested: April 21
Charge: Aggravated DWI
Status: Pretrial hearing on May 19
Name: Damon Williams
Age: 40
Arrested: April 19
Charge: DWI
Status: Pretrial hearing on May 7
Name: Gilbert Todachine
Age: 33
Arrested: April 19
Charge: Aggravated DWI
Status: Pretrial hearing on May 19
