Update: Driver Shoots Self During Traffic Stop, Hospitalized

Update to 48 year-old Farmington man shoots himself during a traffic stop.On March 12, 2016, Deputy Harden with the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a Black Toyota Tundra that was driving westbound between Aztec and Farmington with no headlights. The initial traffic stop was attempted in the area of Circle K in Flora Vista. The driver of the vehicle failed to yield and continued to drive west bound into Farmington at normal speeds. Deputy Harden deactivated his emergency lights and followed the vehicle at a safe distance while maintaining sight of the vehicle while he waited for an additional unit before attempting to conduct a traffic stop again. While following the vehicle as it continued into the city limits of Farmington, dispatch advised Deputy Harden that the registered owner of the vehicle was known to be armed with guns and hostile towards law enforcement. Once the deputy heard that the Sheriff’s Office helicopter was overhead, he decided to attempt another traffic stop on the vehicle. The vehicle then came to an abrupt stop on the shoulder of East Main and Country Club. The deputy attempted to make contact with the driver (later identified as Kurt Trennepohl). The driver did not roll down his window so Deputy Harden opened the driver side door. When he opened the door, he observed that the cab was filled with smoke and a strong carbon smell. He saw that Mr. Trennepohl had an injury to his eye. The deputy thought Mr. Trennepohl had been a victim of a battery and immediately called for medics to respond.As the deputy attempted to get Mr. Trennepohl to talk with him, Mr. Trennepohl grabbed a handgun from the top of the center console, placed his finger in the trigger well and angled the barrel of the gun across his body and towards Deputy Harden. Deputy Harden notified dispatch that Mr. Trennepohl was armed with a gun and had a gunshot wound to his face. Deputy Harden then started to give commands for Mr. Trennepohl to show him his hands and get out of the vehicle. Mr. Trennepohl got out of the vehicle and appeared disoriented. He was given numerous commands to get on the ground. Mr. Trennepohl then started to comply with Deputy Harden and went to a kneeling position with hands on the ground. As Mr. Trennepohl started to comply, Deputy Harden observed that he was no longer an immediate threat so he holstered his firearm. Deputy Harden placed handcuffs on Mr. Trennepohl and asked him what he did. Mr. Trennepohl said “I shot myself”. While speaking with Mr. Trennepohl, Deputy Harden observed a strong odor of alcohol on his breath. Mr. Trennepohl was transported to San Juan Regional Medical Center with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the bottom of his chin causing damage to his left eye. Mr. Trennepohl was later flown to UNM Hospital in Albuquerque, NM. A search warrant was conducted on Mr. Trennepohl’s vehicle and a .22 caliber handgun was located on the center console. Several spent .22 caliber shell casings were also located inside the cab of the vehicle.An arrest warrant has been issued for the arrest of Kurt Trennepohl for Aggravated Assault on a police officer (deadly weapon). His bond is set at $10,000.00 cash or surety.In watching the in-car video from Deputy Harden’s patrol car, we wanted to remind everyone that New Mexico State Law requires you move to adjacent lanes when passing Law Enforcement who are conducting traffic stops. 66-7-332. Operation of vehicles on approach of authorized emergency vehicles. A. Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle displaying flashing emergency lights or when the driver is giving audible signal by siren, exhaust whistle or bell, the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right of way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway clear of any intersection and shall stop and remain in that position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed except when otherwise directed by a police officer. B. Upon approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle displaying flashing emergency lights, unless otherwise directed, the driver of a vehicle shall: (1) if reasonably safe to do so, drive in a lane not adjacent to where the authorized emergency vehicle is stopped, decrease the speed of the vehicle to a speed that is reasonable and prudent under the circumstances and proceed with caution; or (2) if it is not reasonably safe to drive in a lane not adjacent to where the authorized emergency vehicle is stopped, decrease the speed of the vehicle to a speed that is reasonable and prudent under the circumstances, proceed with caution and be prepared to stop.

Posted by San Juan County Sheriff's Office, NM on Tuesday, March 15, 2016