SUN Staff Report
8/13/09
The only Española Animal Control officer still on duty after Evaristo Lopez’s escapades two weeks ago totaled his vehicle in an accident Monday, according to Española Police.
Tommy Gurule, 46, was driving by Lowe’s Super Save watching for people selling dogs in front of the store when he rear-ended Olivia Castillo around 1 p.m. and called 911 dispatch to report the accident, according to Sgt. Christian Lopez and dispatch logs. Only the tailgate of Castillo’s vehicle was damaged, but Gurule’s city-issued vehicle was totalled, Lopez said.
Lopez said the accident was Gurule’s fault and he was charged with following too closely. As per city policy, he was taken out of the field until urinalysis testing can confirm he wasn’t under the influence of alcohol drugs, but not because he is suspected of having been so, Lopez said. By Wednesday (8/12) he is expected to be back out on the road.
Gurule said that with no animal control officers available Tuesday, anyone calling with an animal complaint would have to wait until Wednesday (8/13).
Evaristo Lopez was placed on leave after he was arrested July 24 for allegedly shoving his 17-year-old girlfriend. Acting City Manager Veronica Albin has not returned multiple calls seeking to determine his job status with the city.