Staff Reports
Featured DWI
April 25, 5:50 pm
Aggravated DWI (Third)
A New Mexico State Police officer stopped a vehicle with a flat tire and suspended insurance and eventually arrested a Gallup man for his third DWI.
Officer Terence Willie was parked at the intersection of Highway 118 and Highway 566 when he saw a gray Kia SUV turn onto Highway 118. He ran the vehicle’s tag through his dispatch computer, which told him the vehicle’s insurance was suspended. He also reportedly observed the rear left vehicle on the SUV was flat.
Willie followed the vehicle and pulled it over near Fire Rock Casino at 249 Hwy. 118. He met the driver, Josiah Thomas, 33, who said he was traveling over to Fourth Street. As he spoke, Thomas reportedly showed signs of intoxication including bloodshot eyes and smelling of alcohol. He then reportedly admitted to drinking a shot of Yukon Jack about three hours prior to driving. Another passenger in the vehicle also appeared intoxicated.
Thomas agreed to take the Standard Field Sobriety Tests. However, he performed poorly and was placed under arrest. A search of the vehicle revealed an open container of Yukon Jack.
After refusing the breath test, Thomas was eventually taken to McKinley County Adult Detention Center and booked for aggravated DWI (third), no registration or insurance, driving while license revoked, and open container.
On July 1, Thomas issued a motion to dismiss to Gallup Magistrate Court, citing that he was arrested on Navajo Nation land and thus extradition processes weren’t followed. However, the motion was denied, and the court issued a warrant after Thomas failed to appear at a July 6 hearing.
Thomas decided with legal aid that he will surrender to the court and await further hearings on July 28. No further information was available at press time.
Name: Gilbert Todachine
Age: 33
Arrested: April 19
Charge: Aggravated DWI
Status: Sentenced to probation, fines, community service on July 14
Name: Clay Carviso
Age: 30
Arrested: April 25
Charge: DWI
Status: Sentenced to fines on July 21
Name: Garrett Emerson
Age: 44
Arrested: April 17
Charge: Aggravated DWI
Status: Sentenced to probation, fines, DWI school on June 16
Name: Ricky Lopez
Age: 78
Arrested: April 18
Charge: DWI
Status: Sentenced to fines on June 16
