Single-Vehicle Crash Near Sky City Park Prompts DWI Blood Warrant

Gallup police responded to a single-vehicle crash near Sky City Park on East Lincoln Avenue shortly after 4 p.m. on Jan. 5, according to a Gallup Police Department incident report. Officers located the vehicle off the cliffside near the park and found the driver inside; the driver was transported to a hospital for treatment.

Dispatch audio and officer observations in the incident report indicate dispatchers had difficulty understanding the driver due to slurred speech. Officers also observed an open container inside the vehicle. The driver, described in the report as a woman, has not been publicly identified. Police say the case is part of an alleged driving-while-intoxicated investigation and that they will seek a blood warrant.

A blood warrant allows investigators to obtain a blood sample when a suspect is unable to consent or when other investigative circumstances require court authorization. In this case the department’s use of a warrant signals investigators intend to pursue toxicology results as part of establishing whether impairment played a role in the crash. The incident report states the investigation was ongoing at the time the report was filed.

The crash took place at a popular location where a steep cliff borders park grounds, raising concerns about pedestrian safety and the potential for more serious injuries or fatalities when motor vehicles leave the roadway. Finding a vehicle off a cliffside reinforces questions about roadway design, signage and barriers in the area, as well as emergency access for first responders who must reach scenes on difficult terrain.

For residents, the immediate concerns are public safety and timely information. Neighbors and park users will want confirmation that infrastructure and enforcement measures are sufficient to prevent similar incidents and that any hazards near Sky City Park are addressed. The status of the investigation, the results of any blood testing, and any charges that may follow will be matters for the Gallup Police Department and the county court system to disclose as procedures and privacy rules allow.

As the case proceeds, officials can provide clarity by updating the public on the investigation’s findings and on any steps being taken to reduce risks at the park and along East Lincoln Avenue. Transparency about investigative timelines and outcomes helps ensure accountability while preserving the integrity of the ongoing legal process.