Accused drunk driver arrested at parade

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - A suspected drunk driver caused panic during Saturday’s State Fair Parade.

The suspect is now in jail after the police chief himself stepped in.

According to police 51-year-old Jose Gandara was driving drunk, when he snuck his vehicle onto the State Fair Parade route.

It happened at Central and Rhode Island.

Police say it caused a huge disruption and panic as Gandara allegedly ran into three people causing minor injuries.

Police Chief Ray Schultz, who was helping with traffic control and security during the state fair parade, was the first one to get Gandara's attention and get him to stop.

“He rolled down the window about an inch, an inch and a half and the chief immediately smelled alcohol, noticed the common signs of intoxication the slurred speech, blood shot and watery eyes...continued to maintain contact at which point the driver just rolled up the window and continued driving eastbound,” Sgt. Robert Gibbs said.

The chief caught up with Gandara again at Central and Tennessee.

That is where the chief smashed the driver-side window to help get gandara into custody.

Gandara now faces a string of charges.