Police Blotter: Fleeing scene charges pending against Navajo police officer
GALLUP
Officials for the Gallup Police Department are still saying that a Navajo police woman will be charged for fleeing the scene of an accident that occurred within the city limits on Dec. 27.
However, according to court records, no charges have been filed against Patricia Henry as of 5 p.m. Tuesday.
According to a McKinley County Sheriff report, deputies responded to a call saying that an unknown party was following a Navajo tribal police unit that had been involved in an accident on East Highway 66 about 3:45 p.m.
The caller said the police unit was going eastbound on state Highway 118 past the Fire Rock Navajo Casino and then entered Sundance Road.
Deputies found the tribal vehicle parked on the side of Sundance Road. Inside the vehicle was Henry who appeared dazed but calm. She told the deputy that she had hit the other vehicle and then “freaked out.”
She was in uniform and was disarmed. She said she was not injured and refused medical treatment.
A little later, Gallup police officers showed up and a little after that another tribal police officer, Caramine Largo from the Crownpoint district showed up and took over the investigation.
An accident report released on Dec. 31 said that a motorist was making a turn off of Highway 66 when he was struck broadside by a Navajo police unit, which then fled the area.
The report said there was damage to the side of the first vehicle and to the front of the tribal police unit.
The report said that charges of fleeing the scene and failure to give aid were pending against Henry.
Highway 264,
I-40, WB @ Winslow