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PUBLIC SAFETY
DWI checkpoint crash injures two women, NMSP officer Staff Reports
A
drunk driver drove through a DWI checkpoint in Thoreau and hit a New Mexico State Police Officer’s car, injuring an officer and two women. Accord i ng to a New Mexico State Police press release, Joshua Floehr, 35, of Bloomfield, N.M., was driving westbound on Highway 122 in a 2019 Mitsubishi SUV around 6:45 pm on May 19. He approached the DWI
checkpoint that NMSP had set up, and then reportedly drove right through it at a high rate of speed, hitting a NMSP officer’s car and pushing it into another officer’s unit before coming to a stop. Two women, ages 49 and 34, along with a NMSP officer, were standing by the car and were struck when Floehr crashed into them. The officer reportedly tried to push one of the women out of the way to prevent her from being hit. The victims were
transported to an area hospital. The females’ conditions are unknown. The officer was treated for his injuries and released later that night. Alcohol and speed appear to be a contributing factor in this crash. F loeh r wa s booked at the McKinley County Adult Detention Center for the following charges: • DUI resulting in great bodily harm by a vehicle • DWI (1st offense) • Aggravated battery on
a peace officer with a deadly weapon • Aggravated Assault on a peace officer with a deadly weapon • Roadways laned for traffic • Failure to obey traffic control device Floehr’s fi rst court appearance was on May 22. This crash is being investigated by the New Mexico State Police with the assistance of the Cra sh Reconstr uction Unit.
Joshua Floehr
WNMU hosts ribbon cutting ceremony for new Learning Center
From left, Assistant Secretary for Native American Early Education and Care Cotillion Sneddy, WNMU College of Education Dean Dr. Debra Dirksen, WNMU President Dr. Joseph Shepard, Mayor Louie Bonaguidi and N.M. Rep. Patricia Lundstrom cut the ribbon for the new WNMU Learning Center May 20. Now that WNMU has returned to Gallup, the WNMU College of Education will kick off in-person classes in the fall with plans to expand program offerings in the near future. Photo Credit: Kim Helfenbein
PUBLIC SAFETY
Gallup Sun • Friday May 26, 2023 11
