A New Mexico man driving drunk without a valid license plowed through a parade celebrating 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 including driving while intoxicated, fleeing from police and injuring parade goers and two Gallup police officers who tried to stop the vehicle, according to the court documents.
In a statement, New Mexico State Police said investigators have no reason to suspect the crime was motivated by hate. No one was killed. The injured people, including the police officers, suffered mostly minor injuries, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said
Navajo President Jonathan Nez and his family were among those nearly hit as a Chevrolet Tahoe passed through the parade route. The vehicle rolled through downtown Gallup about 15 minutes after the start of the night parade, which served as the kickoff event for Gallup’s 10-day intertribal centennial ceremonial celebration.
Irving’s blood alcohol content was three times the legal limit to drive, according to court records. His license was revoked or suspended for another drunken driving charge, and the SUV had no registration or insurance, police said.
Court records did not list an attorney for Irving to speak on his behalf. His two passengers were taken into custody and taken to a detox center in Gallup, a city of about 22,000 people, state police said in a statement.
Many of the thousands of people who lined the parade route in front of businesses selling Native American jewelry, arts and crafts captured the chaotic scene on video.
As the SUV plowed past the parade, videos on social media showed people yelling at others to get out of the way, and some pushing parade-goers to safety. One video shows parade-goers yelling obscenities at the SUV’s driver and passengers while they are handcuffed on the ground.
Children performing traditional dances appeared to be among the first to see the SUV heading towards them, the videos show. They ran to the side amid screams and others struggling to get out of the way.
The images also show blankets, shoes, banners and umbrellas left strewn across the street and on pavements as people flee.
Lujan Grisham said Friday that the state will send extra police officers and a behavioral health crisis team to Gallup for the rest of the ceremonial event.
Nez said the vehicle was coming toward him and a group of tribal officials marching in the parade. He thanked people for taking swift action to save spectators and participants from danger.
“We’re just asking for your prayers for everyone involved,” Nez said in a video posted on social media. “We are all shocked. If you saw this on TV, you’d think it would never happen here. I’m sorry to say that this 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 KaRia was chosen by the crowd to join a group of dancers. Shortly after, the vehicle sped down the parade route, turned around and hit a man in front of them who was sitting in a folding chair, she said. Someone helped KaRiah off the road and she was not hurt.
“I’m glad whoever was holding her hand just held her and ran with her to get her out of the way,” 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 said a prayer with tobacco smoke Friday morning to calm themselves.
“I blessed my children and thanked the creator that they are still with me and (to) pray for the families that are hurting,” said Jim, who is Navajo and lives in Fort Defiance.
During the chaos, the SUV turned onto a side street and pulled into a parking spot before attempting to exit again. He hit a parked car and rammed 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 didn’t drink before admitting he had at least two beers, according to court documents. He is from the small community of Pinedale and faces 21 charges, documents and police said.
City, state and tribal officials met Friday, with some pushing for more resources to address alcohol abuse. The state has long had an impaired driving rate above the U.S. average, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“I think there’s always room for improvement,” Gallup Police Capt. Erin Toadlena-Pablo said. “I don’t think anyone should look at it and say we’re doing our best. There are always other means.”
The night parade is the highlight of the ceremonial celebration, which was founded in 1922 as a way for merchants to showcase the culture and art of the region’s Native American tribes, said Gallup Intertribal Indian Ceremonial Association Board President Kyle Thome.
The day parade will continue as planned on Aug. 13, the day before the closure, Thom said. Other events include dancing, a rodeo and a juried art show.
People travel to Gallup from the vast Navajo Nation, which stretches 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 about what happened.
“It was supposed to be a celebration, but today was a difficult moment for us,” Nez said.
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Fonseca reported from Flagstaff, Arizona. Associated Press writer Susan Montoya Bryan in Albuquerque, New Mexico, contributed to this report.
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