Video shows New Mexico State Police stopping woman driving the wrong way on I-40

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – New Mexico State Police officers jumped into action after seeing a car traveling the wrong way on Interstate 40. Officers’ cameras were rolling and captured the moments they caught up with the suspected drunk driver, Jaclyn Archibeque, on April 12.

Officers blocked Archibeque’s car on both sides to prevent her from driving west on the eastbound lanes of I-40. The 30-year-old driver said she was coming from a bar in northeast Albuquerque and was headed to her home in northwest Albuquerque; Archibeque was going the right way home, but in the wrong lane of travel. Officers interviewed Archibeque, who said she turned around as she was driving home.

Officer: How did you get on I-40?
Archibeque: Uh. I took Montgomery to Paseo. I live, like, at Paseo and Universe.
Officer: Okay. Paseo and Universe? Like in the west?
Archibeque: Yeah.
Officer: Okay. Which direction are you going now?
Archibeque: This way.
Officer: Are you heading this way?
Archibeque: Like Paseo and Universe. Yeah.
Officer: Which direction is your car going?
Archibeque: Right now he’s heading west.
Officer: Okay. Is he heading west? On the eastbound lanes?
Archibeque: I know. I know. I know.

As the officer questioned Archibeque, he tried to make him understand the seriousness of his decisions.

Officer: When did you cross the road the wrong way? Do you know?
Archibeque: I know. It’s just that…
Officer: When?
Archibeque: Uh, probably heading west on I-40.
Officer: That doesn’t make sense.
Archibeque: I know. It’s just a mistake on my part in the directions.
Officer: Okay. Well, you know what? Your misdirection, or whatever you want to call it, could have gotten someone killed.
Archibeque: I know.
Officer: Or yourself. Or us. Or me. Or my partner.
Archibeque: I know, and I don’t want that.
Officer: Well, nobody wants it, but it happens. Okay?

Archibeque admitted to having a few drinks, but during a sobriety test, she said, “I promise you I’m just scared. I’m not drunk.” The officer responded, “Are you scared? If you’re scared, imagine how we feel when we see the lights going the wrong way.”

Officer: How much have you drunk today? And be honest with me.
Archibeque: No, I’ll be honest with you. I had two tequila sodas and a shot of tequila.
Officer: Do you think that might be why we’re driving the wrong way on the road?
Archibeque: I didn’t give my instructions, so probably.

The officer’s tie-on camera shows Archibeque not following instructions on sobriety tests. After his arrest, Archibeque continued to make excuses, blaming driving in the wrong lane for getting lost.

Archibeque: I’m sorry. It’s just that I was wrong to find the exit of the Paseo.
Officer: Yeah. You’re not even near Paseo right now.
Archibeque: Okay.
Officer: I mean, I think you realize that now, don’t you?
Archibeque: Yeah.

At the police station, Archibeque was found to be more than double the legal limit when she tested positive for alcohol. She is now charged with aggravated drunken driving and driving the wrong way and has pleaded not guilty to both charges.