Larren Ramone
Dec. 3, 4:18 pm
Homicide by Vehicle (DWI)
McKinley County Sheriff’s Sgt. Tammy S. Houghtaling was called to a crash scene at the five mile marker of State Highway 612. Houghtaling was advised that the intoxicated driver, Larren Ramone, 23, was being flown to UNM Hospital in Albuquerque for head injuries, according to the police report. Houghtaling was also advised that the other passenger, Garry Ashley, 51, had died.
MCSO Dep. Branhurst, who was on the scene before Houghtaling, informed him that Ramone smelled and appeared intoxicated. He said, “his eyes were bloodshot and watery,” according to the police report. Ramone had admitted to drinking alcohol during a fishing trip that afternoon, and Branhurst was able to see several open containers of Fireball in the vehicle.
During the crash, Ashley was ejected from the vehicle, and flew between 60 and 100 feet, according to the report. Ramone had been speeding and lost control of the wheel of the car. The vehicle sustained heavy damage. Its back tires had come off and were found in a field nearby, and the windshield was shattered.
Because of the medication administered to Ramone in the hospital, Houghtaling was unable to get a blood draw to determine his level of intoxication. Ramone was still in the hospital as of Dec. 13.
Larrimie Bodie
Nov. 25, 10:25 pm
3rd DWI, Aggravated
Bodie, 36, was weaving along Interstate 40 when the police were dispatched to stop him. MCSO Officer Patricia A. Smith made contact with the driver, who had red eyes and “a strong odor of intoxicating liquor coming from his person,” according to the police report.
Smith noticed that Bodie had slurred speech and blood in his lap, which he attributed to an earlier fight. Bodie admitted to drinking two beers prior to driving. Bodie performed poorly on three field sobriety tests. He did agree to a breath test, and blew a 0.16 and a 0.15. Bodie had two prior DWI arrests and a revoked license at the time when he was brought in and then booked.
Nicole R. Thomas, 22
Nov. 25, 9:44 pm
1st DWI, Aggravated
Thomas, 22, drove intoxicated from the scene of a crash to an Allsup’s parking lot with no license. She was then stopped by Gallup Police Department Officer Andrew Thayer, who noticed that Thomas appeared intoxicated. Thomas admitted to not having a driver’s license, and to her involvement in the crash on State Highway 602 and Aztec Avenue.
Thayer was still gathering information from Thomas when he was approached by a man holding an axe, who was part of a separate DWI investigation. At this point, another vehicle approached and a woman informed Thayer that she was a witness to the crash on Aztec Avenue. She claimed to have seen Thomas and her passenger, Kendall Begay, 23, switch places in the car. An additional DWI investigation was then put in place for Begay.
Thomas refused field sobriety tests and a breath test at the scene. Begay also refused field sobriety tests and a breath test, and told Thayer he “wouldn’t pass” because he was drunk, according to the police report. Both Thomas and Begay were booked for DWI charges.
Michael J. Benally
Nov. 25, 2:46 pm
2nd DWI
MCSO Lt. Eric Jim was driving east on Interstate 40 when he saw a car pass by with a child in the backseat who was jumping around and appeared not to be restrained by a seatbelt or car seat. Jim stopped the car and made contact with Benally, 33, and saw that he appeared intoxicated. Benally first denied that he was drunk, but later admitted to being hungover, according to the police report.
Benally showed signs of intoxication on three field sobriety tests. He blew a .09 on his breath test, and was booked for his second DWI and two counts of abuse of a child.
Katrina Chee
Nov. 25, 1:30 am
DWI, Aggravated
GPD Officer Adrian Quetawki was patrolling East Highway 66 when he saw a vehicle in the parking lot of Fairfield Inn & Suites. As Quetawki approached the car, it sped off, causing him to turn on his emergency lights and pull the car over. After successfully approaching the car, Quetawki encountered Chee, 36, with a passenger. He asked if she was okay, and she replied that her and her passenger had just been talking, according to the police report. Quetawki noticed that Chee refused to make eye contact with him. When she finally did, he saw that her eyes were bloodshot. He also spotted a can of malt liquor in the car.
Chee performed poorly on three field sobriety tests. She refused a breath test, and was placed under arrest.
Andrew Begay, 28
Nov. 24, 5:42 pm
DWI, Aggravated
GPD Officer Andrew Thayer responded to a call about a vehicle crashing into a pedestrian. At the scene, Thayer encountered Begay, who admitted to driving the car and hitting the pedestrian. Begay said he had drank two bottles of wine prior to driving, and then changed his answer to two glasses of wine, according to the police report. The pedestrian was transported to the hospital for his injuries.
Begay performed poorly on two of three field sobriety tests. His breath test results were .11 and .12. Begay was booked.
Zachary R. Charley
Nov. 24, 12:24 am
1st DWI
GPD Officer Norman Bowman received a call from an employee of Conoco Gas Station on 3302 W. Highway 66 about an intoxicated driver heading east from his business. Bowman found the car using the license plate description provided by the employee. Bowman then encountered Charley, 24, who admitted to drinking two beers earlier in the day. Charley showed signs of intoxication on three field sobriety tests, and he blew a .10 on a breath test.
Tiffany A. Bitsue, 26
Nov. 18, 1:49 am
1st DWI, Aggravated
GPD Officer Joe Roanhorse noticed a car swerving between lanes on Highway 564. Roanhorse placed a call to metro dispatch giving them the license plate, and dispatch informed him that the vehicle was suspended, with outdated registration. The car pulled into the parking lot of the Orleans Manor Apartments. Roanhorse made contact with the driver, Bitsue, 26, and noticed that she was staggering as she walked toward him.
Bitsue reluctantly agreed to take field sobriety tests. She performed poorly on two, and then refused to take a third.