By Associated Press - Friday, October 26, 2018

ESPANOLA, N.M. (AP) - The Rio Arriba Sheriff’s Office says a sheriff’s captain escaped serious injury in a collision with a suspected drunken driver.

The Sheriff’s Office said Capt. Billy Merrifield suffered only minor injuries when his marked sheriff’s SUV went off U.S. 84, rolled at least once and landed on its roof after colliding with another SUV that pulled onto the highway Thursday night.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, the other driver wasn’t injured and was arrested by New Mexico State Police on suspicion of driving under the influence. That driver’s identity wasn’t released.



The wreck occurred about 10 miles (16 kilometers) north of Espanola

Copyright © 2026 The Washington Times, LLC.

Please read our comment policy before commenting.