Car Crashes into Living Room
In the evening hours of Thursday June 17, a driver Melo Dulce, 21, climbed behind the wheel of her 2017 Dodge Durango after having consumed enough alcohol to push her over the legal limit to drive.
The following was taken from the arrest report of the Olney Police Department and is considered the narrative of what occurred on June 17: On 6/17/21, at approximately 2133 Hrs. I, Chief Dan Birbeck, with the Olney Police Department, responded to 113 W Grove on a report that a vehicle had driven through a house.
Upon arriving at the location, multiple EMS, Fire, and Young County Sheriff ’s Deputy Gallardo were already on scene. Deputy Gallardo had detained a female in his patrol vehicle, who EMS was evaluating. According to Deputy Gallardo, the female was intoxicated and believed to be the driver. EMS also indicated that they thought the female was heavily intoxicated.
Upon approaching the house, a Dodge Durango displaying tempt tag 642893C, which is registered to the driver, had penetrated the house’s front wall and came to rest entirely inside the house. The was extensive damage to the vehicle and house. After taking a few pictures to document the vehicle’s location, the Fire Department was allowed to pull the vehicle out of the house due to the overwhelming smell of gasoline coming from the crash scene and fear of a subsequent fire. Once EMS completed their evaluation, the detained female was identified by Texas Driver’s License as Melo, Dulce Yadira Guzman. Melo was provided her Miranda warning before being questioned. Melo waived her rights and elected to speak without an attorney present.
According to Melo, she was the driver of the vehicle and had been drinking before the accident. Melo advised that the other occupants of the car fled the area before officers arrived. Melo would not provide the name of the other occupants in the vehicle at the time of the crash. While talking with Melo, a strong smell of alcohol was emitting from the back of a patrol vehicle where she was sitting. Melo was asked to perform Standard Field Sobriety Tests, and she agreed. Melo was moved to a different location (side street) away from the flashing lights of the emergency vehicles on the scene. Deputy Gallardo witnessed the test being administered.
Melo was asked to stand in front of the patrol vehicle where the tests were administered. Upon visual inspection of Melo, injuries consistent with being the drive were present, including a seatbelt burn that started at the top of her left shoulder and angled downward toward the right side of her chest. Melo also had injuries (lacerations) to her left arm consistent with the window that broke on the driver’s door. While talking with Melo, she stated multiple times that she was the driver and that she did not want to get her family involved.
The first test conducted was the horizontal gaze nystagmus. Melo was asked to identify the stimulus, which she successfully did by touching it with her finger. Melo did not appear to have a head injury at the time of the test. During the test, there was a lack of smooth pursuit in both eyes. Nystagmus was detected at maximum deviation in both the right a left eye. Nystagmus was detected prior to 45 degrees in both the right and left eyes. No vertical nystagmus was detected. All six clues were present.
The next test performed was the nine-step walk and turn. This test was demonstrated to ensure Melo understood the directions. Melo could not balance during instructions. Melo stopped while walking and asked for clarification of the instructions. Melo turned improperly by not taking small steps. Three clues were detected during this test.
The next test was the one-leg stand. Melo could not perform this test. All four clues were present. Melo agreed to provide a breath sample on a portable breath test (PBT) Melo blow at .237 BAC. Due to the physical evidence and Mela’s admission of being the vehicle’s driver when it crashed, she was placed under arrest for Driving While Intoxicated 2nd.
Melo was transported to the Hamilton Hospital, where she was treated for her injuries. While at the Hospital, Melo was provided a true and correct copy of the statutory warning (DIC -24) when it was read to her. Melo was asked for a specimen of her blood, and she consented. Hospital Employee Eva Sioco a qualified lab technician collected the blood sample. The injection location was cleaned with a betadine solution swab (nonalcohol swab). During the test, Sioco had trouble obtaining two full vials due to one tube losing suction and requested that a new kit be used. A second Kit was obtained and used. The blood evidence was collected and secured following department and DPS procedures.
During the entire encounter, Melo was cooperative and forthcoming with information regarding the incident.
Melo was medically cleared and transported to the Young County Sheriff ’s Office. During the trip to the jail, Melo fell asleep in the back seat of the patrol vehicle. Once at the jail, Melo had trouble maintaining her balance when removed from the vehicle and had to be assisted. Once in the jail, she was processed released to jail staff without incident.
Chief Dan Birbeck of the Olney Police Department released this statement about the incident and drinking and driving: “We were very fortunate that we were not working a fatality crash this evening. The vehicle brushed a tree that would have most certainly killed the driver and possibly others in the car. On another note, it was also fortunate that no one was in the house when this crash occurred. The only loss of life was a cat that was sleeping on the front porch. Everyone knows someone that was killed due to an intoxicated driver. There are no winners, and it is only a matter of time before something terrible happens when you drink and drive. It just is not worth the risk you place others or yourself in when you drive intoxicated. The Olney Police Department has a zero-tolerance policy when dealing with drivers who operate a motor vehicle while intoxicated. You will go to jail, your license will be suspended, and your car will be impounded. Don’t drive and drive and use a designated driver if you have to travel.”