The Christmas parade in a small Arizona desert city was meant to deliver vacation cheer, but it surely led to tragedy when a suspected drunk driver plowed into a bunch of spectators, killing a younger youngster.
The deadly incident befell in Kayenta — a Navajo Nation township positioned about 300 miles northeast of Phoenix — on December 22, in response to officers.
As locals gathered in town streets to observe a Christmas parade, an “allegedly intoxicated” driver rammed into the gang, hanging 4 folks and killing a three-year-old Navajo youngster, native officers stated.
The driver, recognized as 67-year-old Stanley Begay Jr., was arrested and charged with murder by automobile. He is being held in custody, and his arraignment is scheduled for January 13, 2026.
Under Navajo regulation, the utmost sentence allowed for somebody convicted of murder by automobile is a 12 months in jail and a $5,000 fantastic.
The deceased youngster was recognized by his household as Karson Apodaca, who they described in a web based fundraiser as “a joyful, loving 3-year-old who brought light to everyone around him.”
“This unimaginable loss has left his family heartbroken and facing challenges no one should ever have to endure,” the household stated.
They added that a number of different family members had been injured within the December 22 incident.
“Not only did they lose their precious boy, but Karson’s mom, her fiancé, and his grandpa were also injured in the accident and are now on the long road to recovery,” the household stated.
The fundraiser says the cash shall be used to “provide counseling and financial support for his loved ones as they heal emotionally and medically.” As of Friday afternoon, the overall stands at over $35,000.
To mourn the lack of life, the Kayenta group held a vigil on Christmas Eve, throughout which they sang carols and adorned a tree in Karson’s honor, the household stated.
Lucas Babycos, a lawyer licensed to follow within the Navajo Nation, instructed KTVK that he’s “hearing a lot of fear and anger about what occurred.”
Under state regulation, a vehicular murder conviction can carry a sentence of over 20 years, in comparison with the considerably lighter most sentence beneath Navajo Nation regulation.
“I would like to see them adopt the enhanced sentencing act on the Navajo Nation,” Babycos instructed the outlet.
In a press release, the Navajo Police Department urged folks to “be careful, look out for one another, and don’t drink and drive.”
A consultant for the Navajo Police Department didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark from The Independent.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/crime/drunk-driver-christmas-parade-arizona-navajo-b2890713.html