An Arizona man has been sentenced to 40 months in prison after a drunk driving crash on the Navajo Nation resulted in the deaths of two passengers and left another seriously injured.
Court records state that Marvin Albert Wauneka, 40, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, consumed alcohol heavily before reporting to work on November 14, 2024. He was unable to perform his job due to intoxication and later went to a Wal-Mart where he continued drinking. Wauneka then drove with four passengers at speeds between 85 and 100 miles per hour on Navajo Route 54 while continuing to drink. He lost control of the vehicle, causing a single-vehicle rollover crash.
Two passengers died at the scene. A third passenger suffered serious injuries but managed to escape the wreckage, while a fourth escaped without major harm. At the hospital, Wauneka’s blood alcohol content was measured at .298.
Wauneka pleaded guilty to two counts of involuntary manslaughter and one count of assault resulting in serious bodily injury. He has a prior DWI conviction and had previously been convicted in Navajo Nation Tribal Court for this offense, receiving a sentence of 167 days in custody. After completing his prison term, Wauneka will be under supervised release for three years.
“Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Acting Special Agent in Charge Philip Russell of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office made the announcement today.”
The investigation was conducted by the Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office with support from the Navajo Nation Department of Investigation and Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark A. Probasco is prosecuting the case.
