SILVER CITY, NEW MEXICO — (June 27, 2016)
Did New Mexico police officers give a big break to a district attorney who was caught on camera weaving all over the road?
The Silver City Police Department and New Mexico State Police are facing that question now.
Pulled over with a flat tire and reports of reckless driving, Silver City and state police suspected Grant County District Attorney Francesca Estevez was drunk or high.
But that fear– along with watching Estevez stumble while walking heel to toe–none of it kept police from letting the DA drive off on her own.
It started with a five-minute long witness video taken on a Saturday afternoon this month on Highway 180 west of Silver City.
The witness called 9-1-1 when he got cell service.
A surveillance camera catches the DA pulling into a gas station in her state-owned blue Dodge Charger with the witness still following her.
Silver City police officer Leticia Lopez was the first to respond.
From there, officers step in to help. While trying to change the tire a Silver City police supervisor called state police.
While talking to the witness, state police officer Alyssa Flores responded.
Both officers ultimately decide neither agency will make a DWI arrest.
After nearly two hours–that included Estevez practicing a “heel toe” walking test on her own, and a near crash when officers let Estevez move her car–police called in a tow truck to change Estevez’s tire.
Then with a few thank you’s, district attorney Estevez was back on the road.
Driving away from the scene on her own, with no questions asked.
Silver City Police never initially filed any official report related to the stop. New Mexico State Police says it is still conducting an internal investigation into its officer’s actions.