New Mexico DWI

A Sandoval County man was arrested for his eighth DWI this week after a wreck near San Ysidro.

Bloomfield Police say they arrested Joe C. Martinez, 59, for drinking and driving Wednesday afternoon, and it was his 18th DWI arrest. Officials say they believe all 18 arrests happened in San Juan County. Police say they pulled Martinez over on Saiz Lane for speeding around 2:30 pm The police report says his eyes were blood shot and he blew twice the legal limit. “I think there are numerous reasons we can contribute to him being out on the road,” Bloomfield police chief Mike Kovacs said. “I think it’s unfortunate that someone with this many DWI’s is more of a career alcoholic and it’s going to be hard to change that behavior.” Chief Kovacs says it’s unfortunate that there may have been a lapse or issue somewhere between incarceration and treatment in Martinez’s history. Police say Martinez was booked and charged for third degree felony DWI, driving with a suspended or revoked license, speeding, and driving with an open container. Officials say Martinez was last arrested for a DWI in 2007. His first time was nearly 40 years ago. Police tell Eyewitness News 4 that Martinez has been convicted of DWI at least seven times.