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A New Mexico man who was driving drunk without a valid license barreled
through a parade that celebrates Native American culture in the western
part of the state, injuring at least 15 people, officials said Friday.
Jeff Irving, 33, was arrested late Thursday and faces charges that include aggravated driving while intoxicated, fleeing from officers and injuring parade-goers and two Gallup police officers who tried to stop the vehicle, court documents said.
In a statement, New Mexico State Police said that investigators have no
reason to suspect the crime was motivated by hate. No one was killed. The people who were hurt, including the police officers, suffered mostly minor injuries, said New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and his family were among those
almost hit as the Chevrolet Tahoe drove through the parade route. The
vehicle sped through downtown Gallup about 15 minutes after the nighttime parade started that served as the kick-off event for the 10-day Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial Centennial Celebration.
Irving’s blood-alcohol content was three times the legal limit for
driving, according to court records. His license had been revoked or
suspended for another drunken driving charge and the SUV had no
registration or insurance, police said.
Court records didn't list an attorney for Irving who could speak on his
behalf. His two passengers were detained and taken to a detox center in
Gallup, a city of about 22,000 people, state police said in the statement.
Many among the crowd of thousands lining the parade route in front of businesses that sell Native American jewelry, arts and crafts captured the chaotic scene on video.
As the SUV sped near the parade, videos on social media showed people
yelling for others to get out of the way and some pushing parade-goers to safety. One video showed parade-goers yelling obscenities at the SUV's
driver and passengers while they were handcuffed on the ground.
Children performing traditional dances appear to have been among the first
to have seen the SUV heading toward them, the videos showed. They ran to
the side amid screams and others scrambling to get out of the way.
The images also showed blankets, shoes, banners and umbrellas left strewn
along the street and on the sidewalks as people fled.
Lujan Grisham said Friday that the state will send additional police
officers and a behavioral heath crisis team to Gallup for the rest of the ceremonial event.
Nez said the vehicle was coming at him and a group of tribal officials
marching in the parade. He thanked people for taking quick action to get spectators and participants out of harm's way.
“We just ask for your prayers for all of the participants,” Nez said in a
video posted on social media. “We're all shook up. You would see this on television, you would think it would never happen here. I'm sorry to say
it happened here in Gallup, New Mexico."
Tonya Jim said she went to the parade with her parents, grandchildren and children. Her 5-year-old granddaughter, KaRiah, was picked from the crowd
to join a group of dancers. Shortly after, the vehicle barreled down the
parade route, turned and hit a man across from them who was sitting on a folding chair, she said. KaRiah was helped off the road by someone and was
not hurt.
"I’m glad whoever was holding her hand just kept holding her hand and ran
with her to get her off the road,” Jim said. “I’m not sure who she was,
but I’m thankful for her.”
Jim said the family burned cedar and prayed when they got home and did a tobacco smoke prayer Friday morning to calm down.
“I blessed my kids and thanked the creator they are still with me and (to)
pray for the families who are hurt,” said Jim, who is Navajo and lives in
Fort Defiance.
During the mayhem, the SUV swerved onto a side street and pulled into a
parking spot before trying to pull out again. It hit a parked car and
backed into a police car, state police said. Officers converged on the
vehicle and detained the driver and two passengers who Irving identified
as his brothers, according to court documents.
Irving initially told police he was not drinking before admitting to
having at least a couple of beers, according to court documents. He is
from the small community of Pinedale and faces 21 charges, the documents
and police said.
City, state and tribal officials met Friday, with some urging more
resources to address alcohol abuse. The state has long had a driving while impaired rate above the U.S. national average, according to the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention.
“I think there's always room for improvement,” said Gallup police Capt.
Erin Toadlena-Pablo. “I don't think anyone should ever look at it and say
we're doing all we can. There's always other means.”
The nighttime parade is a highlight of the ceremonial celebration, which
was founded in 1922 as a way for traders to showcase the culture and art
of Native American tribes in the region, said Gallup Intertribal Indian Ceremonial Association board President Kyle Tom.
A daytime parade will go on as planned on Aug. 13, the day before closing events, Tom said. Other events include dances, rodeos and a juried art
show.
People travel to Gallup from the vast Navajo Nation that extends into
Arizona, New Mexico and Utah and from other tribal reservations to attend
the parades and events. Nez, tribal lawmakers and others expressed anger
and disbelief over what happened.
“It's supposed to be a celebration, but today it was a difficult time for
us,” Nez said.
___
Fonseca reported from Flagstaff, Arizona. Associated Press writer Susan
Montoya Bryan in Albuquerque, New Mexico, contributed to this report.
https://news.yahoo.com/suv-drives-mexico-parade-injuring-050419303.html
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