NMSP officer resigns following wreck, aggravated DWI arrest

ROSWELL, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico State Police officer resigned after being arrested in an alleged off-duty DWI wreck in which Roswell police said his SUV struck two parked vehicles and flipped over March 17. Paul Flores pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated DWI, careless driving and negligent use of a deadly weapon. Defense attorney Luke Ragsdale said Friday he couldn't discuss details of the case or why Ragsdale resigned but said Flores denies driving under the influence. Roswell Police Department spokesman Todd Wildermuth said the weapons count accuses Flores of possessing his NMSP-issued weapon in his vehicle while driving under the influence. An NMSP spokesman, Sgt. Chad Pearce, said Flores had been at the home of another NMSP officer before the wreck and had worked for the department for 14 years.