A seemingly ordinary afternoon in Las Cruces quickly turned chaotic when a Jeep suddenly drifted into oncoming traffic at a busy intersection. Witnesses said the vehicle climbed the median, knocked down several lane dividers, and came dangerously close to a head-on collision with passing cars. Before officers could arrive, bystanders rushed into the roadway, knocked on [music] the windows, and tried to stop the Jeep to prevent a potential tragedy. When an officer made contact with the woman behind the wheel, the warning signs became hard to ignore, and the [music] investigation quickly shifted toward a suspected DUI. >> Is everything okay? Yeah, uh do you speak Spanish? No, I don't. >> Do you speak uh Spanish at all? No, I thought I should tell him though. Okay. Do you know what's going on? Yeah, uh All right, all right, step this way, let's see. Get out of the roadway now. We were They were both at the red light, and we were turning this way, and the Jeep kept coming forward, and it was coming onto oncoming traffic, Uh-huh. and then it was coming right like head-on to them, so they reversed off the way. Uh-huh. And she kept going straight, going slow, and she started going over the median here. And then so all of us ran out to try to see what was going on, and she was like not She was like non-compliant. Like she don't know can't put it in a park or anything. And this was a uh a lady in a Jeep? Mhm. Where did she go? >> My girlfriend parked her car right there and she I believe she sitting down over there but she's like really into her car. Oh, so the Jeep is still over here? >> Yes, my girlfriend parked it right here cuz she was running over the median hitting the pole and everything. She was going to hit somebody so we tried to stop the Jeep ourselves. Okay, okay. So yeah, but she's sitting down right here somewhere. There's my girlfriend right there. She's okay. All right, right. Um can I have you guys move your vehicle over here so that we're out of the roadway? Yeah, get out of the roadway? Is that Yeah, you can go. Can you move the the vehicle? Yeah, can you move your vehicle over here? Okay. Yeah? Okay. I'll I'll stand right here. You guys can reverse and then go from there. Perfect. Okay. Okay. Hello, ma'am. Officer Lopez with Los Angeles Police Department. What's going on? You tell me you're coming up to me. The what? I said you tell me you're coming up to me. Okay. No. So Okay. Um I guess you're going into oncoming traffic and you almost hit somebody. Are you okay? So you were going south on this way? Yeah, so it's going Actually, funny enough, it was actually going this way, turned up this street. Instead of going Yes, instead of going up this street and then kind of lost control a little bit so that's why there's cars that, you know, tried to block it off, tried to back up so they didn't, you know, crash or meet up. Um they just, you know, people got out and banging trying to get her attention. >> What car What car was she driving? Uh she was in the red Jeep. Uh the lady who was trying to get help right now, she she went and parked it. She got it out of the road. Oh. Okay. Yeah, but Do you see where she parked it? Yeah, if I'm right, she's in the I think there. She's in the green shirt. If you believe it's the red Jeep in the morning. All right, in that lot over there? >> Yeah, in that lot. Okay. But she did I don't want to like throw her under the bus cuz obviously you can tell she's a little Yeah. intoxicated. Maybe you don't want to call me. Okay, I'd like you to write down this as well. I mean I'm not really driving my friend. Yeah, originally it was the lady right there, I believe, in the green shirt. She and her boyfriend were really quick to help stop. Okay. It's more of me pulling into the side and waiting to see if she was going to be all right, you know. Okay, got you. So she's with a possible I'm good. Okay, um this should be all we need from you. She was in a rage. I'm sorry. I wish I could have said a little bit more, but as soon as we realized that it had something to do with the accident, we called. Someone had um like lost consciousness and they, you know, had to deal with that and I know about that, but Yeah. No, we didn't know what to expect. So it was kind of just like, oh, you know. Got you. Okay, uh you should be good to go. If you need to contact your friend for any reason, just give me a call. Okay, what if I don't say anything? Thank you. I'm going to go park my bike. Okay. Have you had anything to drink tonight, though? No, I'm okay. You're okay with what? I said no, I'm okay. Okay, well, you have to talk to me cuz you're under investigation. I'm talking to you. Okay, but I'm asking you how much you had to drink and you're just telling me I'm okay. So, how much have you had to drink tonight? I'm okay. All right. Um so there's a couple of witnesses that already saw what happened. Uh somebody had to park your vehicle cuz they said you were incoherent, too, and you weren't you know, listening and you almost hit somebody that had a kid inside the vehicle. Thank God you didn't because that would have been very bad. Okay, do you understand where you're at and what's going on, the situation? No, right here in front of Chipotle and Pecan Grove right there. You what? Pecan Grove right there, Chipotle right there. Uh-huh. Jack in the Box right there. >> Where are you coming from? Um dropping my friend off. Um doing the floating of the river all day. Oh, so you were floating at the river all day? Yeah. Okay. Were you guys drinking out there? Um yeah, we were drinking. You guys were? Where do you live? Right there by off of Lamar Boulevard Drive, so it's by the um Galatians Galatians retirement home and Lamar Boulevard and interest and retirement home. By Memorial? Yeah. Um okay, so you're coming back from the lake. You're dropping a friend off. Uh you guys have been drinking. How How many drinks do you think you had out there? I don't know. We floated for a long time. Huh? >> I don't know. You were out there for a while? >> know. We floated a long time. I don't know. Okay. All right. Um well, would you be willing to do standard field sobriety tests? Okay. We'll lock down the Jeep. Okay. Would Would willing to or? What are you guys just saying for what you are being taken for? Well, I have to ask you if you want to do the test or not. No? I need a verbal yes or no. No. Okay. Can you stand up for me? And these are these are your keys and stuff? I don't know where my Do you mind just like putting your back against the car so I could see this way? Um what's going on? I don't know. I just Wait, what is this all about? Checking the box? Okay. And then she was she was coming like on a wrong way and there was a truck coming but uh the truck finally moved and then she was taking out like the post. So when I was leaving out I just pulled back because I was scared. So whenever they stopped her they just moved the Jeep and then she didn't want to open the door but finally they got they got everything out. Um which vehicle was she in? It's a Jeep. I don't know where it is. It's a maroon Jeep. A maroon Jeep? Yeah, they pulled you over here and someone right there. Yeah, cuz it was the people parked over there. Uh it was the people that that she almost ran into. They got out and helped her out of the car and they moved it. Do you know where those people are? Uh I do. It's them? Yeah. Oh yeah, it's the lady with short hair. That's how I know. Yeah, we We were trying to find a translator just cuz when they first had it happening she they put it in Iraq so it was kind of like more of a >> Yeah, we couldn't find anyone at the time. Oh. >> [laughter] >> Yeah, when they were in the world like that it it was less trouble. Yeah, no I what is Um So you guys were coming out of this way and then you saw her on the wrong way? >> She was coming this way. And then she Do you see all those posts right there? She was ta- she was running all up with that. She was running Like she was a boy What do you say she was closer to? No, she was going in the middle. She was throwing all the Just coming from the middle, hitting all of those. Yeah. Okay. And then I was coming by and I'm like, "Oh, shoot." So I I pulled back. Came this way. Okay. We turned that way cuz I was afraid she would hit us or something. Yeah. Did you see anybody in the vehicle with her? No. It was just her. Um and then you said she kept driving and then you obviously parked because of everything that was going on. And then you saw people help her to park it in the parking lot. Okay. Do you Yeah. Okay. Do you have an ID? Yeah. Do you mind if I see it, please? Yeah. Yeah. So they have her keys and stuff like that. Okay. I just parked, okay, and then helped her with anything. That's all she was saying. It's just that you observed um her in the vehicle and then her hitting all those things. That's the only reason I'm getting your information. Yes, cuz we were going that way cuz we were going to have so she was coming this way. So that's why I pulled back. I was freaking out. Okay. I thought she had a stroke or something or you like a seizure or something. And then you didn't call 911, correct? No. Okay. No, they were already helping her. So why park her too? Is this a good address on your Yeah. Okay. Yeah, I think it was the little one with shorts that took off the key cuz the key was in the ignition. But they had to help her cuz she didn't want to open the door or anything. Intoxicated. Oh. That's scary. You never know where your kids are in the wrong place. Can I just get a good phone number for you? It's 574. Okay. 704. Okay. 2052. 2052. Here you go. Okay. Thank you. >> Okay, thank you. >> Um how long would you say this happened? How long did it happen? How long ago would you say? Like 15 minutes ago? Like 15 minutes ago? >> 15 minutes ago. Like 15 minutes ago, yeah. Okay. Yeah, like 15 minutes ago. Okay. Thank you. Did you guys already speak with officers? >> No, not yet. >> No? Okay. I'll talk to you. >> Okay. Um what happened? So we were coming around this roundabout and we saw her going like on So you guys were like coming up to the mall. >> Yeah. And then we saw her coming on this other on the other side to make You know, like if she was trying to help somebody, you know, like if somebody's car is dead or something. >> I see. But no, we saw her. She just started hitting like the median right here, all the little poles. So um I'm like, "No, something's not right." So we stopped in the middle. My boyfriend got out and ran and there was like four or five guys that were trying to stop her car. And so then I had gotten out, stepped right there. And I'm like banging on her window and I'm like "Open your" and you can already tell she was pretty uh drunk, I guess you can say. So then um finally she was able to roll the window down and another guy he had taken off, park uh parked her car for her and we were able to get her out and sit her down right here, but um I did call somebody off of her phone. So you guys got her out like right here and sat her down. Like right here, you see where all these are like broken? Yeah, so then you guys walked this way, sat her down here. >> They walked her this way and then um moved her car over there. Okay. Yeah. >> So somebody else had moved her car and she was sitting. "Okay." Um and then I noticed you said she you could tell she was drunk. >> Yes. What did you observe? What did you Like what Why do you say that? >> Well, actually just cuz she couldn't She could barely tell me her name. So, I had the guy that originally were able to walk her to her car, sat her right here and I said, "I'm the one who actually took her Jeep over there." Cuz it was in the middle of the road. I'm waiting. >> Oh, you moved it. You drove the Jeep over there. >> to park it out of the way because it was in the middle of the road. So, then I parked it. I saw that her phone was in the middle console and her keys, so I grabbed it, came over here, gave it to her, said, "Is there somebody you can call or like" And so, she called her friend. I think her name's Erica. Okay. That's why I spoke to her. I said, "Hey, I'm just letting you know this is what happened. A cop was already driving up and that's when they got the attention of the officer to come over here." So, then the officer came over here. And then um she could barely tell me her name. I think she said her name was Sarah or something. I could I couldn't really understand, but even her friend was like, "Oh my god." What did you notice about like how she was talking? I know you said you could tell >> Well, in her vehicle she had open containers and she has a a bong or a like a pipe. Okay. In the center console. >> And then you said it was hard for her to talk. What else did you notice? That was it. And she well, for one when we were banging on her window, she was like kind of dazed, like she didn't know what we were saying. So, I was like, "Babe, just roll down your window." Like cuz I was worried she was going to step on her gas and run over my boy- my boyfriend and the other man that was standing there in front of the Jeep holding it. So, I was like just I wanted to get her out that way she didn't continue to go. So, and she could barely talk to me though even at that point. Okay. I'm just going to reiterate everything. If I mess up on some part, let me know. Okay. You guys are coming up um south on Southshore. >> Yes. Um came up that roundabout. You noticed the vehicle, the Jeep What the Jeep coming up this way hitting all these poles. >> Yes. Um and then so you stop your vehicle, your boyfriend ends up getting out, tries to see what's going on, help out. You park, get out as well. They walk her over here, sit her down, you get into her Jeep. Park it over there. Yes. That's when you notice open containers, a pipe, and then you come back over here or you grab her phone and her keys, come back over here. You gave them to her and then you're pretty much trying to figure out how to help her. Yes. And then that's when you notice that she's having a hard time talking to you and you say she's crying. Yeah. Okay. I I mean you gave her your information. I do know she said she was at the river all day with her boyfriend, I guess. But the person she called, I do remember the name was Erica. And then you said you think her name is what? Lisa. We thought that she was maybe like having a seizure or something. Cuz the way she was going really slow, I was like, "No, something's going on." And so I was like, "We need to go and help her." Yeah. After observing her, you could clearly tell that she [music] very much intoxicated. No, we appreciate you guys. Thank you. You guys are free After officers collected witness statements, the picture at the scene became clearer. The Jeep had driven into oncoming traffic, climbed the median, and nearly caused a serious crash. Several bystanders said they had to step in to keep the vehicle from continuing. With accounts lining up and the warning signs growing harder to ignore, the officer returned to the female driver. The tone shifted instantly [music] from gathering information to a formal criminal investigation. And right there on body cam, she was detained and read her Miranda rights. Oh my god, you guys like me like that? The whole [ __ ] world knows it. No, he was already here getting food. We'll wait for that other female officer and then she'll pat you down, okay? >> Oh [ __ ] I like how you guys like me like that, at least. The [ __ ] The whole world of patrol and All right. You guys should do that for other people that need it. But >> Okay. What's your name? What's your name? I'll take it. Do what you need to right here. I'll do it when I'm at the station if I get a phone call. >> over there. Okay. Yeah, okay. Thank you. What was that? Is there anything you want to do? What do you mean? Right here? No. I can sit >> You can sit Yeah, you can sit back. What's your What's your name? Christian You guys already know what it is. >> door No, what's your name? >> I don't know your name. You guys know my name. You already I never dealt with you before, so I have no idea who you are. >> you do, but you're putting me back here. Yes, for You're under arrest for driving while intoxicated. Oh. Uh last name? >> You guys already You guys already know it. You're talking with each other. What's your last name? You guys don't want You guys already talking about it. What's your last name? >> You guys already talking about it, right? Talking about what? What's going on? Yes. >> Yeah, exactly. We're not talking specifically about you, but we're talking about the situation. So, you know what's up then. So, you know everything. I don't. I don't even know who you are. You just gave me your first name and that's it. But, I need your information. >> pulling me over. So, >> I didn't actually pull you over. They flagged me down. >> I'm not saying you specifically. You guys know already why you're pulling me over for. >> to give me your last name or not? Gutiérrez. Ain't nothing new. You guys already know my plate. You're running everything. I don't know why. >> What's your date of birth? Dude, you're the cop. Yes, and I'm asking you what your date of birth is. >> I know. Like, cops know everything. >> my job. You know that, right? I'm not I I work I work as a cop, right? I don't know everybody in the city. I don't know their name. >> I'm not saying you do. I'm not saying you do, but you're pulling me over. You >> Okay, can you give me your date of birth? >> You should already know everything. All right, listen to me. I'm about to tell you something important. You're under arrest for DWI. The New Mexico Implied Consent Act requires you to submit to a breath test to determine the alcohol content of your blood. After you take our test, you have the right to choose an additional independent test. If you choose to take this additional independent test, you have the right to a reasonable opportunity to arrange for a physician, a licensed nurse, or laboratory technician or technologist who is employed by a hospital or physician of your own choice to perform an additional chemical test. The cost of this additional test will be paid by the law enforcement agency. Do you agree to take our test? Do I agree to take your test or what? The like Like the breath test? I need a verbal yes or no. No. No? I cannot force you to take our test, but if you refuse, you will lose your New Mexico driver's license or non-resident operating privilege for 1 year. If you are convicted in court of driving while under the influence, you may also receive a greater sentence because you refused to be tested. Do you understand? Yep. Do you now agree to be tested? No. All right, I consider your actions a refusal to be tested. Thanks for watching. If you're interested in police body cam footage, DWI investigations, and real-life encounters, please hit like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you don't miss the next videos. [music] Your support helps the channel keep delivering transparent, up-to-date content.