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SUV barrels through Native American parade; 15 injured

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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 His license had been revoked or 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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SUV barrels through Native American parade; 15 injured zinn <zinn@reno.us> - 2022-08-06 08:13 +0000
  Re: SUV barrels through Native American parade; 15 injured Just Wondering <JW@jw.com> - 2022-08-06 14:30 -0600
    Re: SUV barrels through Native American parade; 15 injured Klaus  Schadenfreude <klaus.schadenfreude.entfernen.@gmail.com> - 2022-08-06 13:41 -0700
    Re: SUV barrels through Native American parade; 15 injured BeamMeUpScotty <NOT-SURE@idiocracy.gov> - 2022-08-07 11:51 -0400

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