Weekly DWI Report

Staff Reports

Featured DWI

Aug. 7, 4:53 pm

DWI (Third)

A Gallup man was stopped for traveling nearly 30 miles over the speed limit and eventually arrested and charged with his third DWI.

New Mexico State Police Officer Paulena Houston was traveling eastbound on Interstate 40 near mile marker 22 when her unit’s radar clocked a red Buick 4-door traveling 90 mph in a 65-mph zone.

Houston turned around and pulled the vehicle over near mile marker 20 where she conducted a traffic stop. She met the driver, Dexter Begay, 38, and began questioning him.

Begay reportedly showed signs of intoxication including slurred speech and bloodshot eyes as he spoke to Houston. He also reportedly admitted he had been drinking and said he had consumed “more than enough alcohol” at Pizza 9 in Grants.

When given an opportunity to take the Standard Field Sobriety Tests, Begay declined, reportedly stating that he was intoxicated and didn’t want to take them.

Houston placed Begay under arrest based on his admission and refusal. He agreed to provide a breath sample and was taken to the local state police office for the breath test. There, Begay posted two samples of .21.

After the paperwork was completed, Houston transported Begay to McKinley County Adult Detention Center, where he was booked for DWI (third), driving while license revoked, and speeding over 21-25 mph.

His pretrial hearing is set for Aug. 25.