Staff Reports
A Thoreau woman was served a criminal summons for an alleged DWI after Gallup Police stated she drove away from an altercation on July 17 while intoxicated.
Patrolman Tyler Bowman responded to a call at Home Depot, 530 Kachina St., after witnesses reported that a woman had fallen from a vehicle and was being assaulted.
Witnesses told officers the woman, later identified as Brook Jones, 40, fell from a gray Jeep Grand Cherokee before a man returned and began hitting her. One witness provided a video of the altercation to Gallup Police.
The video reportedly showed the male suspect striking Jones near the Jefferson Road entrance of the Home Depot parking lot. Two other men at the scene intervened, allowing Jones to get up and leave in a vehicle matching the description.
Jones later returned to Home Depot, where Bowman then interviewed her. She reportedly told officers that she had been in the vehicle with a man she referred to as “8ball.” She stated she attempted to get out but was kicked, and later said the man had stomped and kicked her.
As she spoke to officers, Jones reportedly appeared intoxicated. Bowman noted the odor of alcohol on her breath and slurred speech. When asked, Jones reportedly said she had consumed less than a pint of alcohol prior to the incident.
Police also reviewed video showing Jones leaving the scene in the suspect vehicle. Based on the video, her admission to drinking and Bowman’s observations, he determined Jones had operated a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.
Jones was unable to perform standardized field sobriety tests because of injuries she sustained during the altercation. She would eventually be taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.
Before Jones was transported, however, Bowman read her the New Mexico implied-consent advisory regarding a blood draw. Jones reportedly spoke over him while he read the advisory and so he considered her actions as a refusal.
Jones also allegedly struck Bowman with her right hand while he was attempting to assist her into his patrol vehicle. Bowman warned her that she could face a battery-on-a-peace-officer charge. Jones reportedly then exited the vehicle and fell to the ground.
Medical personnel were called back to the scene and transported Jones to the hospital. Bowman stated Jones gave him permission to secure the Jeep and have it towed before she was transported.
Meanwhile, the person Jones referred to as “8ball” was identified as the male aggressor by the witnesses. He was served a criminal summons for his role in the incident but no details were available as of press time.
In all, Jones faced charges for battery on a police officer, aggravated DWI (third), driving while license revoked, and no insurance. After several failed appearances and a bench warrant, Jones appeared in court on Sept. 4 for the first time.
Her preliminary examination is set for Oct. 7.
