Man jailed after 15th DUI arrest


By By Paul Shockley
Grand Junction, CO, Colorado,
A Fruita resident is being held at the Mesa County Jail on $20,000 bond facing a possible fifteenth alcohol-related driving charge in 24 years.

Gilberto M. Lopez, 44, a Mexican national whose immigration status wasn’t immediately clear, was pulled over driving a van by a Fruita police officer shortly before 10 p.m. Tuesday — he was headed south on Highway 340, approaching Raptor Road. An arrest affidavit alleges Lopez was driving without headlights.

The officer alleged Lopez smelled of alcohol and his eyes were bloodshot — several empty beers cans were allegedly observed inside the van.

“I asked for his proof of insurance, registration and driver’s license, but he could not find any of them, even though he had them in his hand and wallet,â€