UTEP cheer coach arrested for aggravated DWI in Albuquerque

UTEP cheer coach David Vasquez was arrested in Albuquerque on an aggravated DWI charge, according to Bernalillo County jail records.

He was arrested at 1:58 a.m. Friday morning.

According to the New Mexico Department of Public Safety, a person is charged with aggravated DWI when the person has .16 Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) or above, refusal to take BAC test, or cause bodily injury while DWI.

According to the criminal complaint, an Albuquerque Police officer saw a blue vehicle allegedly driving at a high rate of speed.

An Albuquerque Police SUV was following the blue vehicle and turned on its lights to stop the driver.

Once the vehicle was stopped, a police sergeant says he saw five occupants in the backseat not wearing seatbelts.

The criminal complaint states Vasquez had an odor of alcohol coming from his face and that he had red, bloodshot, watery eyes.

Police asked if he drank any alcohol and he said he had two drinks at Effex, according to the criminal complaint.

Vasquez was asked to take sobriety tests and the criminal complaint states he did poorly on them and he was arrested for DWI.

Vasquez was transported to the prisoner transport center and after a 20-minute deprivation period was observed he was read the New Mexico implied consent advisory and refused to take a breath test.

Vaquez also was charged with seatbelt use required; exception.

Vasquez is in Albuquerque with the cheer squad for the Gildan New Mexico Bowl between UTEP and Utah State on Saturday.

UTEP Executive Vice President Richard Adauto released the following statement regarding Vasquez’s arrest.

“It is our understanding that Mr. Vasquez was arrested on a DWI charge,” said UTEP Executive Vice President Richard Adauto. “He will not be accompanying the UTEP cheerleaders during any Gildan New Mexico Bowl activities. We will evaluate any personnel actions when he returns. No other details are available at this time.”