Gallup Sun

Kerley Biggs

April 1, 2020, 2:22 pm

Aggravated DWI (Second)

When a gray Chrysler was seen parked at 1710 Elm Cir. with a reportedly intoxicated driver, Gallup Police Officer Justin Benally was dispatched to the area.

The driver backed his vehicle into Benally’s unit and began to leave. Officer Benally followed.

He was located near Mile Marker 16 of Highway 602. When Benally made contact with the driver, he was identified as Kerley Biggs, 30 at the time.

Biggs refused to get out of the car and reached to start the vehicle. Benally told him not to start the car and to get out. Biggs placed the car in drive. Benally said to put it in park and not leave.  Benally said he noticed that Biggs’ left foot was on the brake and his right was on the gas. Biggs began to take off, almost hitting Benally.

Benally got into his unit and stopped traffic on Highway 602. When the officer reached the city limits his supervisor advised that he terminate the pursuit.

That’s when McKinley County Sheriff’s Deputy Ben Benally took over. He reported seeing damage to the left side front area of the police officer’s unit and to the rear end of Biggs’ car.

Sergeant Tammy Houghtaling arrested Biggs for an aggravated DWI, an open container and driving on a suspended license.

Henry Hayes

March 14, 2020, 6:00 pm

Aggravated DWI

New Mexico State Police Officer Christian Roman was participating in a McKinley County Task Force operation when he observed a white pickup truck traveling southbound on U.S. Highway 491 at 67 mph in a 55-mph zone. He activated his unit’s emergency lights and conducted a traffic stop.

Roman met the driver, Henry Hayes, 27, of Toadlena, N.M., who provided the information as requested. As he spoke with him, Roman noted Hayes smelled of alcohol so he asked if he consumed any drinks. Hayes admitted to having a pint and “smoking two bowls of bud” before driving.

Hayes agreed to take the standard field sobriety tests, but failed. He was placed under arrest and transported to the local state police office for a breath test, where he posted two samples of .17. He was then transported to McKinley County Adult Detention Center, where he was booked without incident.

Johnny Perry

Dec. 22, 2019, 10:57 pm

DWI

During a westbound patrol on State Road 118 near the I-40 onramp, New Mexico State Police Officer Matthew Williams ran the license plate of a brown SUV and the registration and insurance came back suspended. He initiated a traffic stop and pulled the vehicle over near Mile Marker 25 of I-40 westbound.

Williams approached from the passenger window and met the driver, Johnny Perry, 52, of Brimhall, N.M., who produced an ID card when asked. A passing truck pushed air out through the passenger window, which led to Williams detecting the smell of alcohol coming from the vehicle. A run of Perry’s ID also returned his license as revoked.

When he spoke with Perry, Williams noted his eyes were bloodshot and he smelled of alcohol. Before agreeing to take the standard field sobriety tests, Perry admitted to drinking two beers at the Fire Rock Casino.

Perry was transported to the local state police office for the breath test, where he posted two samples of .15. He was transported to McKinley County Adult Detention Center and booked without incident.

Michael Yazzie Jr.

Nov. 29, 2018, 8:22 pm

Aggravated DWI (Second)

A black Dodge pickup was seen near Crestview Road and Highway 118 with a driver that did not appear alert at the wheel. McKinley County Lieutenant Eric Jim arrived at the scene to inspect the vehicle, which drove off once he approached.

Deputy Johnson Lee was able to stop the truck shortly afterward and Sergeant Tammy Houghtaling arrived to meet the driver, Michael Yazzie, 28 at the time, who showed signs of being intoxicated, including slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, and smelling of alcohol. Yazzie refused to cooperate with Houghtaling’s questions, but did admit to drinking a full six-pack of Budweiser prior to driving, and a closed can was found in his vehicle.

Yazzie refused to take any field tests and made threatening remarks to Houghtaling as he was placed under arrest for aggravated DWI. He refused to give a breath sample or blood draw.