CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. — A Grants firefighter, Robert Morris, faced charges of Aggravated Driving While Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor or Any Drug (Refused Testing) (First Offense) following an accident on New Mexico Highway 53 on July 22, 2023.
Morris, a member of Grants Fire Department, was arrested by Grants Police Department on July 22. On that day, around 1:02 a.m., GPD was dispatched to a vehicle accident without reported injuries. While on route, officers were informed that there was someone trapped inside one of the vehicles involved. While on scene, officers did not find anyone trapped inside of a vehicle, but medical assistance had arrived on scene before officers were alerted.
Upon his arrival, GPD officers made contact with Morris, who was at the scene as part of the Grants Fire Department's response. The officer observed signs of possible intoxication, including slight swaying and a strong odor of alcohol. Morris subsequently admitted to having consumed “a few beers” at Palomas Bar approximately an hour prior to the accident. Additional signs of intoxication noted by Grants police officers included bloodshot, watery eyes, and slurred speech.
Despite Morris's refusal to participate in standardized field sobriety testing, and his refusal to submit a breath sample after being read the New Mexico Implied Consent Act, Officer Saavedra placed him under arrest.
Following a brief medical concern involving numbness in his hands, Morris was medically cleared by Emergency Medical Services for incarceration and transported to Core Civic.
Morris was released on his own recognizance by Cibola County Magistrate Judge Tony Mace two days after his arrest. On July 26, he returned to court, waived his right to an arraignment, and entered a 'Not Guilty' plea to his charges.
Morris is scheduled for a pretrial hearing on August 29 in Judge Mace's Cibola County Magistrate Courtroom. The case is expected to proceed to trial if no plea agreement is reached. All people are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law for any allegation of a crime.
The incident underscores the continued efforts of local law enforcement to tackle drunk driving and highlights the dangers it poses to public safety on New Mexico's roads. In a statement released at the beginning of July, Grants Police Department informed the community that it would be stepping up DWI enforcement.