Driver charged for deaths of Navajo sisters in Santa Fe
Monday, March 8, 2010
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Sports
A man with a prior DWI conviction has been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide and one count of driving with a revoked or suspended license in connection with a fatal accident in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
James Ruiz, 34, allegedly rear-ended a truck carrying the Peshlakai family from the
Navajo Nation. Sisters Deshauna, 17, and Del Lynn, who would have turned 20 yesterday, were killed. Their father, David, and mother, Darlene Thomas, remain in the hospital after being treated for injuries.
The family had left a basketball game at
Santa Fe Indian School when they were struck. Deshauna played for
Newcomb High School though she was sidelined due to an injury. Del Lynn had played for the team when she was in school. All three of their older sisters also played.
Clement Nez, a Navajo medicine man, offered a blessing at the crash site on Sunday. The Santa Fe Indian School raised $2,000 to help the family with expenses.
Get the Story:
Blessings offered at site of deadly crash (The Santa Fe New Mexican 3/8)
Sisters Deshauna Peshlakai, 17, and Del Lynn Peshlakai, who would have turned 20 today, memorialized in service Sunday
(The Albuquerque Journal 3/8)
Police suspect alcohol involved in Friday's multicar pileup that killed two sisters (The Santa Fe New Mexican 3/7)
Family Mourns Sisters; 'Basketball Was Their Life' (The Albuquerque Journal 3/7)
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