Man arrested 18 times for DWI

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - An Albuquerque man who has 17 prior DWI arrests on his record was busted again Friday night after a Bernalillo County Sheriff's Deputy said the man almost rear-ended his police cruiser going 87 miles per hour.

Apolonio Lopez, 44, was driving behind a deputy around midnight on Interstate 25 near the Albuquerque Sunport when he approached the deputy's car at a high rate of speed, according to a report from BCSO.

The deputy said he was forced to swerve to avoid being hit by Lopez.

After that, the deputy got behind Lopez and pulled him over.

According to the report, Lopez smelled of alcohol and was slurring his speech.

Lopez had a 0.18 percent blood-alcohol level, more than twice the legal limit, a BCSO spokesman said.

Police have been arresting Lopez for DWI since 1987.

Linda Atkinson is the DWI Resource Center Director and said Lopez is a proven menace to himself and society.

"This is one of the worst, definitely one of our top 10," she said.

Court Records show Lopez has at least nine DWI convictions in two counties.

He was out on probation Friday night for driving on a revoked license.

"He has no reason to stop, he has none," Atkinson said. "Going through the court system seems to be a hobby for him."

In addition to his 18th DWI arrest Friday, Lopez was also arrested for reckless driving and speeding.

BCSO said the car he was driving belonged to someone he lives with.

Lopez would be eligible for bond on some of the charges, but because he is also accused of violating probation, he is jailed without bond.