Monday, May 4, 2026

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San Juan Pulse

Hyper-local public records & breaking news for San Juan County and surrounding New Mexico communities.

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Farmington Man Charged After Crossing US 64, Fleeing Crash Into Field

A Farmington man has been charged with multiple offenses after deputies say he crossed all four lanes of U.S. 64 before crashing into a hillside and fleeing into a nearby field off Road 6675.

Zachariah Brady, 34, is accused of driving under the influence and attempting to evade law enforcement during the April 18 incident in San Juan County, according to a criminal complaint filed in Aztec Magistrate Court.

According to the statement of probable cause, a San Juan County Sheriff’s deputy responded around 8:44 p.m. to the area of U.S. 64 and Road 6675, where a red passenger car with Arizona plates was found crashed into a hill north of the highway. Police allege the vehicle had crossed all lanes of traffic before leaving the roadway.

The deputy reported that Brady had fled the scene on foot and was later located hiding in a nearby field west of Road 6675. A passenger remained at the crash site and was transported to the hospital.

Deputies reported Brady showed signs of intoxication, including bloodshot and watery eyes, an odor of alcohol, and unsteady balance. He is accused of refusing standardized field sobriety tests and a breath test.

According to the complaint, investigators obtained a blood sample after Brady allegedly refused field sobriety and breath testing. The results of that testing were not included in the initial court filing.

Investigators reported multiple open and empty alcohol containers inside the vehicle, including beer bottles, liquor bottles, and a cocktail can.

CHARGES FILED

  • Aggravated Driving While Under the Influence (Refusal Testing) (Felony)
  • Reckless Driving
  • Resisting, Evading or Obstructing an Officer
  • Open Container
  • Leaving the Scene of an Accident (No Great Bodily Harm or Death)
  • Failure to Give Immediate Notice of an Accident

The allegations are similar to a recent Farmington DWI case involving open container concerns, according to court records filed in a separate incident.

CASE STATUS

The case has been filed in Aztec Magistrate Court under case number M-147-IR-2026-00009. Brady was arrested on April 18, 2026. No disposition is listed in the court filing.

SOURCE

Aztec Magistrate Court criminal complaint and statement of probable cause.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

All individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.