Man arrested for DWI 22 times speaks from jail

Posted at: 09/03/2009 6:50 PM | Updated at: 09/03/2009 8:38 PM
By: Jeremy Jojola, Eyewitness News 4; Charlie Pabst, KOB.com

Delano Vigil says he is not a danger to society and does not deserve to be locked up, despite being jailed for his 22nd DWI arrest.

Vigil was picked up on a DWI charge near Chimayo last month. Police say he blew nearly five times the legal limit, leading to his 22nd DWI arrest.

In a telephone interview Thursday, he made a point that he’s never been in a wreck and has a high tolerance for alcohol.

Vigil is 51 years old with more than 20 DWI arrests under his belt, according to New Mexico State Police.

After blowing a .39 last month, Vigil was slapped with his latest DWI charge. Vigil calls state police "crazy" and says he only has eight DWIs, but admits he is an alcoholic.

"I was a product of my environment. My mom and dad used to be alcoholics, in all my family," Vigil said.

He said he also has mental health issues that contribute to his drinking.

He said, "I’m also diagnosed as a schizophrenic, so I sometimes don't know the difference between reality and fantasy. So I end up drinking. "

He says treatment would be a better solution than jail.

When asked whether he believed he should be locked up for his crime, he said, "No, actually. I think I just need to go to a program. I've never been to one before."

When asked if he was worried about the possibility of killing himself or someone else, he replied, "I don't plan on driving anymore, but I don't know. I'm not worried about that. I have never been in a wreck."

Vigil says he is serious this time about getting treatment, but has never been approached with help.

He said the last and only time he’s tried to sober up was 15 years ago.

For now, he remains locked up in Santa Fe.

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