Las Cruces man arrested for 8th alleged DWI; accused of disabling ignition lock

A 46-year-old Las Cruces man police suspect of causing a crash Tuesday afternoon has been charged with his eighth DWI offense.

Ruben Montes, of the 600 block of north Virginia St., was charged with aggravated DWI, driving on a suspended license, driving with an open container and following too close.

Las Cruces Police say that shortly after 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 12, Montes was driving a 1991 Chevrolet S-10 south on Picacho Avenue when his pickup struck a 2001 Chevy Silverado and he allegedly tried to leave the scene.

Police learned that Montes had seven previous DWI charges, was driving on a suspended license, and Montes allegedly disabled the ignition interlock device on his S-10.

The driver of the Silverado was not injured in the crash.

Police say that Montes initially denied any injuries but then complained of a minor leg injury and refused to undergo field sobriety tests.

Montes was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center on a $1,000 bond and posted bail within three hours after being booked.