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Thursday, May 08, 2008

GOP Chair Charged With DWI

By Laura Nesbitt
Mountain View Telegraph
      The Torrance County Republican Party chairman was arrested at Blackie's Bar and Grille in Moriarty on a charge of aggravated DWI first offense and driver's license not in possession.
       On April 12, Richard Lopez, party chairman since March 2007, was given several field sobriety tests before being arrested by Deputy Erwin Young and taken to the Torrance County Sheriff's Department, according to the criminal complaint.
       “Our deputy was driving by and observed a gentleman fall out of a pickup,” said Sgt. Kenneth Groves.
       “We were concerned about him leaving the parking lot of Blackie's and driving while intoxicated,” Groves said.
       According to Groves, the Moriarty Police Department had already responded to a call from the bar and left.
       “There was a broadcast on the radio concerning that vehicle, that there was a reckless driver,” Groves said.
       After deputies arrived, Young demonstrated a walk-and-turn test and a one-leg-stand test. Lopez told the deputy that he “could not do” either test, the complaint said.
       Lopez was unable to successfully complete the backward number count, according to the complaint.
       After the field sobriety tests, Young arrested Lopez.
       “I had just buried my father. I had major issues with my family. I didn't drive. I stopped at Blackie's and had some drinks. I called my wife to pick me up. The sheriff's department did a drive through the parking lot, and they arrested me. I had no intention of driving.
       “I have too much going for me politically. I sit on the board of directors for different organizations,” Lopez said.
       Lopez called his wife from inside the bar and was waiting for her in the parking lot from inside his vehicle, he said.
       At the sheriff's office, Lopez recorded blood alcohol levels of 0.18 and 0.18 on breath tests. The legal limit for alcohol impairment in New Mexico is 0.08.
       Lopez posted a $500 bond that evening.
       At his arraignment on April 14, Lopez pleaded not guilty to Torrance County Magistrate Judge Steve Jones.
       Lopez said he has retained a lawyer.
       “The only thing we're disputing is that there was no intent to drive,” Lopez said.
       Being arrested for a DWI has been a positive experience, even an epiphany, he said.
       “I look at it from a positive perspective. We make mistakes, but we learn from them,” Lopez said. “That won't happen again because I won't consume alcohol.”
      

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