Driver drank 15 beers before getting behind the wheel
A Gallup Police Officer appeared to be in critical condition after a two-vehicle collision with a driver who may have been drunk.
Officer Timo Molina traveled to the crash site near the intersection of Maloney Avenue and North Fifth Street. He arrived at the scene and saw members of the Gallup Fire Department working to free Officer Iris Martinez from her unit, which had sustained heavy damage to the driver’s side by a black Ford F-150.
Molina approached the truck, finding a miniature 99 Bananas on the floorboard and a smell of alcohol coming from inside the vehicle. He met Lieutenant Francie Martinez, who had arrived at the crash site before Molina and saw the suspect, identified as Michael Analla, 41, of Gallup, attempt to leave the scene, but strike a curb and a sign.
Martinez had been driving and responding to another call at the time of the crash.
Analla had been detained when Molina went to speak with him. Molina observed several signs of intoxication including bloodshot eyes and a smell of alcohol. Analla told Molina he was traveling eastbound on Maloney Avenue when he turned north onto Fifth Street. He admitted to having drunk 15 beers prior to driving, with his most recent drink coming 30 minutes before.
The report stated Analla spoke in a low tone that was difficult to understand.
Molina offered Analla the opportunity to take the Standard Field Sobriety Tests, but he refused. Analla was placed under arrest and later refused to give a breath sample at the sheriff’s office.
A warrant for blood of the defendant could not be obtained because the on-call judge was out of town. Molina transported Analla to McKinley County Adult Detention Center where he was booked for great bodily injury by vehicle, consuming alcohol in a vehicle, resisting arrest, and striking an authorized emergency vehicle.
The report stated Martinez had sustained a possible broken arm and was admitted to a local hospital.
A report from the McKinley County Adult Detention Center indicates Analla was released on his own recognizance by Judge Robert Ionta.
