A member of the Zuni Pueblo has pleaded guilty to federal charges related to a car crash that resulted in three deaths on July 4, 2025. According to court documents, Willis Kylestewa, 42, was driving under the influence with four passengers in a vehicle that did not have working headlights. When law enforcement attempted to stop the vehicle, Kylestewa fled at high speed and swerved through traffic before losing control. The vehicle flipped and crashed, ejecting Kylestewa and three passengers. Two of the passengers died at the scene, while a third passenger died inside the vehicle.
At the hospital following the crash, tests showed that Kylestewa had a blood alcohol level of .317 and THC in his system.
Kylestewa pleaded guilty to three counts of second-degree murder. He faces any number of years up to life in prison when sentenced.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office, announced the plea agreement.
The investigation was conducted by the Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office with help from the Zuni Police Department and Zuni Open Space. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas J. Marshall and Amy Mondragon are prosecuting this case.
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