Thoreau, NM – On May 19, 2023, at around 6:40 p.m., the New Mexico State Police investigated a crash at a DWI Checkpoint at the intersection of NM 371 and NM 122 in Thoreau, NM.
The initial investigation indicated that a 2019 Mitsubishi SUV driven by Joshua Floehr (35) of Bloomfield, NM was traveling Westbound on NM 122 approaching the DWI Checkpoint. Mr. Floehr drove through the checkpoint at a high rate of speed, striking a New Mexico State Police officers’ unit and pushing it into another officer’s unit before coming to a rest. Two women, ages 49 and 34, along with a New Mexico State Police officer were standing by an officer’s unit and were struck when Mr. Floehr crashed into them.
The New Mexico State Police officer attempted to push one of the females out of the way to prevent her from being hit. The New Mexico State Police officer along with the two females were transported to an area hospital. The females’ condition is unknown. The New Mexico State Police officer was treated for his injuries and released later that night.
Mr. Floehr was booked at Mckinley County Detention Center for the following charges:
DUI resulting in great bodily harm by a vehicle.
DWI 1st offense.
Aggravated battery on a peace officer with a deadly weapon.
Aggravated Assault on a peace officer with a deadly weapon.
Roadways laned for traffic.
Failure to obey traffic control device.
Alcohol and speed appear to be a contributing factor in this crash.
This crash is being investigated by the New Mexico State Police with the assistance of the Crash Reconstruction Unit.
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