New Mexico State Police arrest driver for 11th DWI

An alleged drunk driver almost struck a New Mexico State Police officer in Santa Fe, then led the officer on a high-speed chase.

At around 10:30 p.m. on Sunday April 22, 2018, the police officer was almost struck by a wrong-way driver on Cerrillos Road. Officials said the officer attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver fled from the officer and a pursuit ensued.

The officer chased the suspect to the intersection of Cerrillos and Jaguar Roads, where he “successfully performed a pit maneuver to safely stop the vehicle,” officials said in a news release.

The State Police officer suspected the driver was intoxicated and completed a DWI investigation. The driver, 53-year-old Santiago Garcia of Santa Fe, allegedly showed signs he was unable to safely operate a vehicle and was impaired. Garcia was arrested for his 11th DWI, officials said.

Neither the officer nor the suspect were injured in the pursuit. Garcia was booked into the Santa Fe County Detention Center on the following charges:

Resisting, Evading, or Obstructing an Officer DWI (11th Offense) Careless Driving No Driver’s License No Vehicle Insurance