Arrested for DWI
McKinley County Sheriff’s Deputy Jerald Watchman was driving westbound on Highway 264 late on March 17 when he observed a white vehicle driving westbound in the eastbound lane. He activated his unit’s emergency lights and pulled behind the vehicle, which eventually stopped in the median.
Watchman met the driver, Deremiah Joe, 27, of Yatahey, who said he and his brother, who was also in the vehicle, were traveling to Rock Springs looking for their lost dog. Watchman noticed that Joe had bloodshot eyes and slurred speech, and there was a smell of alcohol inside the vehicle.
Joe stepped out of the vehicle at Watchman’s request, swaying as he walked. He was detained by Watchman as another deputy arrived to stand by the vehicle because its location in the median presented a safety hazard. The vehicle was later towed.
Watchman asked Joe if he would take the standard field sobriety tests and he agreed. However, he failed the tests and was placed under arrest. After agreeing to give a breath sample, Joe was transported to the sheriff’s office, where he posted samples of .23 and .22.
Joe was then transported to McKinley County Adult Detention Center and booked for aggravated DWI, no license or registration, and failure to maintain a lane. The report did not state whether his brother was released.
