Drunk 19-Year-Old Crashes Car and Drives Off with Air Bags Deployed

On May 9, 2023, Rio Rancho Police Officers responded to a motor vehicle accident. Witnesses indicated that the at-fault vehicle fled the scene. Based on the vehicle description, officers were able to locate and stop the vehicle a short distance away. Officer Griffo removed the 19-year-old driver from the vehicle and detained her in handcuffs. Officer Olivas removed the male passenger, who sustained facial injuries. Officer Griffo asked the driver several times if she had consumed alcohol prior to the accident and she denied it each time. However, an open container of alcohol was allegedly found inside the driver door. Based on this, the woman was asked to participate in standardized field sobriety testing. At the conclusion of the testing, she was placed under arrest for Driving While Under the Influence (DWI). She was transported to the Rio Rancho Police Department, where she submitted to breath alcohol testing. The result was 0.22% BAC. Her charges and the outcome of the case are discussed at the end of the video.