New Mexico State Police Officer Chaz Troncoso was patrolling westbound on Highway 118 early on Jan. 8, 2020 when he saw a gray car swerving on the right side of the road. As both approached Armand Ortega Boulevard, Troncoso ran the car through his unit’s computer aid dispatch and saw that its registration had expired.

Troncoso pulled the car over to conduct a traffic stop. He saw there were two occupants inside and when the driver rolled the window down, he smelled alcohol.

The driver, Casey Bowie, 31, of Gallup, stared blankly and was slow to react to Troncoso’s commands. Troncoso noted Bowie had bloodshot eyes, fumbled through the car looking for documentation, and slurred his speech when he told Troncoso his name.

Bowie stepped out of the vehicle while initially stating he had not consumed any alcohol, Bowie agreed to take the standard field sobriety tests, during which he admitted to drinking half a large can of Budweiser.

As the tests were administered, Bowie eventually admitted he drank three or four cans of Budweiser in total. He failed the standard field sobriety tests and was placed under arrest.

Troncoso searched the vehicle and found several empty containers of Yukon Jack whiskey in the back seat. The passenger was picked up by family.

Bowie agreed to give a breath sample, so he was transported to the local state police office for the breath test where he posted two samples of .23. He was then transported to McKinley County Adult Detention Center and booked for aggravated DWI, failure to maintain his lane, improper display of registration, no proof of insurance, no license, and an open container.