SANTA FE, N.M. — Santa Fe police made several arrests over the weekend during a series of DWI enforcement operations that included a checkpoint, saturation patrols, and separate impaired-driving investigations.
The department’s DWI Unit conducted a checkpoint Friday night at Galisteo Street and West DeVargas Street in downtown Santa Fe. According to police, 429 vehicles passed through the checkpoint, and 15 drivers were assessed for possible impairment. No DWI arrests were made during the checkpoint itself.
Following the checkpoint, officers conducted a saturation patrol targeting impaired and dangerous drivers.
Just before midnight Friday, officers said they observed a motorcycle traveling 86 miles per hour in a 45-mile-per-hour zone on St. Francis Drive near San Mateo Road. Police say the rider accelerated and weaved through traffic before being stopped near Interstate 25.
The motorcyclist, identified as Elias Lopez, 23, of Santa Fe, was arrested on a charge of reckless driving and booked into the Santa Fe County Adult Detention Center.
A short time later, officers responded to reports that a driver had driven through traffic cones near a roadblock associated with Spanish Market activities.
Police identified the driver as Guillermo Pablo Mazate, 21, of Santa Fe. Following a DWI investigation, authorities arrested him on charges including aggravated DWI, careless driving, open container violations, and no vehicle registration. Police said breath tests recorded results of .17 and .16.
Police also responded to a single-vehicle crash early Saturday morning near Cerrillos Road and Interstate 25.
The driver, Rachael Tsosie, 36, of Rio Rancho, was transported to a hospital for treatment. Following a DWI investigation, officers charged Tsosie with DWI and reckless driving. Police said charges will be forwarded for prosecution because she required additional medical care.
On Saturday evening, officers found a vehicle stopped at a green light at Pacheco Street and San Mateo Road, causing traffic to maneuver
around it.
Police said the driver, Ronnie Montano, 55, of Santa Fe, was found asleep behind the wheel. Following an investigation, he was arrested on multiple charges, including fourth-offense DWI, driving while license revoked, and resisting or obstructing an officer.
Later that night, officers responded to a welfare check near Olive Street and Cottonwood Drive after reports of a man lying near a vehicle.
Police identified the man as Johnny Anaya, 36, of Santa Fe. Investigators say Anaya admitted to smoking fentanyl several hours earlier. He was arrested on charges of drug-impaired driving and possession of a controlled substance.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
