A Christmas parade on the Navajo Nation in northeastern Arizona was suddenly cut short Monday evening after police say a suspected drunk driver struck and killed one child while injuring three more bystanders within the crowd.
The Kayenta Township near Monument Valley shared that its annual parade along Navajo Route 591 was supposed to begin at 5 p.m., but that holiday tradition came to an abrupt halt about 10 minutes later.
Four paradegoers seated on the sidewalk were hit while waiting for the parade to start when a driver entered the route.
Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren called it a “tragic incident,” revealing a juvenile and pregnant woman were among those victims.
The Navajo Police Department, which is investigating with the FBI, confirmed a child had died.
“We wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victim and those injured,” said Chrissy Largo, senior public information officer for the tribe’s police department. “A loss of this magnitude is felt across the Navajo Nation.”
The Navajo Nation Office of the Prosecutor has charged 67-year-old Stanley Begay Jr. with vehicular homicide in the death of 3-year-old Navajo boy Karson Apodaca. Under Navajo law, Begay faces up to a year in prison and a $5,000 fine.
“Nevertheless, a conviction in Navajo Nation District Court is still a conviction, with real and enforceable consequences under Navajo law,” said Chief Prosecutor Verlon L. Jackson Sr., noting the tribe has yet to adopt enhanced sentencing authority stemming from the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010.
The sale of alcohol, as well as possession and consumption, is prohibited on Navajoland.
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A mining company is considering digging for copper on grazing land near the chapter house of the Coppermine community on the western Navajo Nation. -
The accident occurred about a half mile east of Highway 160 and state Route 98 near Shonto in Navajo County. This is the first reported incident since hauling along the 300-mile interstate route began nearly two years ago. -
U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the approximately 1,000-year-old geoglyph in Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge was disturbed by border wall contractors nearly two weeks ago. -
Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren will face off against a slew of candidates in the race for the tribe’s presidency in November — 15 challengers to be exact. Nygren took the tribe by storm when he beat out incumbent Jonathan Nez four years ago. But since, he has faced mounting scrutiny over allegations of ethics violations and misuse of public funds. -
A couple hundred ballots were cast by locals to decide a fitting moniker through a recent online vote. Al Ha’icu Ga:gdam — meaning Little Seeker — and Little Dot, or Al Doṣ, were among their choices.
