15 Hurt When Drunk SUV Driver Barrels Through Native American Parade

At times these days, it seems that it’s not safe to go anywhere. Crime seems to be rampant everywhere, even on what’s supposed to be a fun family day out at a parade. It could have been a lot worse at what happened recently at a Native American parade.

The AP News reports:

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.
n 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. [T]he nighttime parade […] served as the kick-off event for the 10-day Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial Centennial Celebration.
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.

A fun family event turned into a nightmare for this Native American community. Thankfully no one was badly hurt because it could have been a lot worse. It’s shameful for someone to drive drunk when there are so many options for transportation these days. What should happen to that guy?

Stacey Warner