Authorities charge man for deadly DWI crash on Navajo Route 52 near Gallup

GALLUP, NM – According to the United States Attorney’s Office, authorities charged a man with a fatal DWI crash near Gallup that occurred on November 14, 2024.

Officials say Marvin Wauneka, 40, a member of the Navajo Nation, was drinking alcohol and driving at speeds close to 95 mph when he crashed sometime that afternoon.

Two of Wauneka’s passengers died in the collision. First responders transported Wauneka and two others to local hospitals with serious injuries.

A bottle of vodka was found near one of the victims after the crash. Wauneka’s BAC was determined to be .298 when he arrived at the hospital. He has a record of DWI offenses and failures to appear in state court.

Authorities have charged Wauneka with two counts of involuntary manslaughter and one count of assault resulting in serious bodily injury. He will stay in custody until the trial. If convicted, he could face up to 26 years in prison.

1 hurt in wrong-way crash on Interstate 10 in Mesquite

MESQUITE, NM – One person was hurt in a wrong-way collision on Interstate 10 in Mesquite Sunday morning, according to KFOX 14.

Isaiah Lopez, 20, was driving a 2015 Kia west in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 10 near mile marker 151 when he slammed into a 2016 Honda operated by a woman at around 6:30 a.m.

First responders transported the Honda driver to an area hospital. Her current condition is unknown.

Authorities arrested Lopez for DUI. He was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center.

Following the collision, crews closed the area for two hours to clear and process the scene.

Semi-truck crash on Interstate 10 in Carnuel disrupts traffic

CARNUEL, NM – According to the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, a semi-truck collision on Interstate 10 eastbound blocked traffic early Saturday morning.

Deputies responded to the crash around 3:11 a.m.

Crews worked to clear the scene of fluids leaking from the semi-truck.

All lanes were reopened by 5:52 a.m.

Deputies are on scene for a crash involving a semi-truck on I-40 Eastbound just after the Carnuel exit (mile marker 170). All lanes are currently blocked due to fluids leaking onto the roadway. Please seek alternate routes while crews work to clear the road. pic.twitter.com/Iw2aT2TOwL

— BCSO (Sheriff) NM (@BCSONM) May 3, 2025

Our news team will continue to monitor this story for any significant updates.

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