The vice chairman of the New Mexico Lottery Authority board of directors has turned in a letter of resignation to Gov. Bill Richardson, days after he was arrested in a bizarre drunk-driving crash.
New Mexico Lottery Authority Vice Chairman Cody Kelley is accused of rolling his pickup truck while drunk and then walking away with his injured passenger to a nearby bar.
The incident occurred during the Fourth of July weekend when witnesses said a pickup truck southbound on Pan American NE spun out of control near Paseo del Norte. The truck ran off the road and rolled several times on its way to the bottom of a small hill.
But instead of staying at the accident scene, the couple in the truck got out and started walking toward the Courtyard Marriott Hotel.
Police identified that couple as Cody and Jennifer Dennis and said they were found sitting at a bar inside the hotel. The bartender told police the couple had just arrived.
Dennis told police "they had been dropped off by a Yellow taxi and she had been hurt playing softball," according to a criminal complaint. Kelley "denied being in an accident even though he had glass on his shirt," the document added.
Kelley blew more than twice the legal limit of 0.08 on a breath-alcohol test and was arrested.
Richardson last year appointed Kelley to a second six-year term on the lottery board. The position is unpaid.
Kelley sent a resignation letter to the governor on Thursday.
"The officials should better well know that this is unacceptable behavior and should set an example," Albuquerque Police Department spokesman John Walsh said.
The governor's office released a statement saying that fighting DWI is a top priority for the governor who has a zero tolerance policy for any employee or appointee who is accused of driving drunk.
Kelley is facing charges for aggravated DWI and leaving the scene of an accident. Dennis was charged with a misdemeanor.
Kelley, an Albuquerque lawyer, did not respond to phone messages requesting comment on his side of the story.
You got problems if you just wrecked your truck and you go to a bar for more alcohol. Man I would be upset that I wrecked my truck not thirsty for another round. I would hope that some help would cure there drinking problem. But if it does not I am sure this will be just the beginning of a beautiful relationship with his local law enforcement. He can get to know them on a first name basis and send them christmas cards and fruit baskets.-weshar75
... What's amazing is enebriated he manages to walk his injured passenger to a bar instead of the emergency room, and she actually agrees to go with him... not to mention, he didn't even bother to use the phone there to order an ambulance for her. Wonder if they both staggered in. If so i'm quite sure the Hotel's security camera caught it all on film. What a site they must have looked like! The next day in addition to feeling embarrassed, they both had to have felt as though they were hit by a Mack Truck! Usually you can't move the very next day after an acccident, especially one where your truck rolled over numerous times. What's more sadder than that is that he won't even be able to look for a new job, now that his drivers' license will probably be suspended. Hope both of them will agree to go to AA or at least get some counselling.
rip snorter did you happen to be in these parts when the accident occured? nothing like buying a powerball ticket and seeing the lottery director flip his truck while just passing time hmmmmmmm.......
or better yet i'm buying into jack's theory about the 'ol rolled up hundred dollar bill and soda straw.no telling how many trips to the bathroom this couple took.just goes to show alcohol,drugs and lottery tickets don't mix.......
I hope Mr. Kelley can recover from the DWI accident.
In NM virtually anything is possible...in that state 2006 comes face to face with the 1800's as far as power and influence
You got problems if you just wrecked your truck and you go to a bar for more alcohol. Man I would be upset that I wrecked my truck not thirsty for another round. I would hope that some help would cure there drinking problem. But if it does not I am sure this will be just the beginning of a beautiful relationship with his local law enforcement. He can get to know them on a first name basis and send them christmas cards and fruit baskets.-weshar75
I hope Mr. Kelley can recover from the DWI accident.
DWI is no accident. It is a conscious decision to break the law.
It's a miracle no one was killed.
... What's amazing is enebriated he manages to walk his injured passenger to a bar instead of the emergency room, and she actually agrees to go with him... not to mention, he didn't even bother to use the phone there to order an ambulance for her. Wonder if they both staggered in. If so i'm quite sure the Hotel's security camera caught it all on film. What a site they must have looked like! The next day in addition to feeling embarrassed, they both had to have felt as though they were hit by a Mack Truck! Usually you can't move the very next day after an acccident, especially one where your truck rolled over numerous times. What's more sadder than that is that he won't even be able to look for a new job, now that his drivers' license will probably be suspended. Hope both of them will agree to go to AA or at least get some counselling.
I agree DD. it's a miracle that no one was killed. Hopefully this man gets help, so he doesn't pull a stunt like this again.
I hope Mr. Kelley can recover from the DWI accident.
DWI is no accident. It is a conscious decision to break the law.
It's a miracle no one was killed.
rip snorter did you happen to be in these parts when the accident occured? nothing like buying a powerball ticket and seeing the lottery director flip his truck while just passing time hmmmmmmm.......
or better yet i'm buying into jack's theory about the 'ol rolled up hundred dollar bill and soda straw.no telling how many trips to the bathroom this couple took.just goes to show alcohol,drugs and lottery tickets don't mix.......