2022 New Mexico parade ramming
| Date | August 4, 2022 |
|---|---|
| Time | 7:50 pm[1] |
| Location | Gallup, New Mexico |
| Type | Accident |
| Non-fatal injuries | 15 |
| Arrests | 3[1] |
On August 4, 2022, during the 100th annual Gallup Intertribal Celebration in Gallup, New Mexico, an SUV drove through a parade crowd, injuring fifteen people. Among those struck included two police officers and several children.[2][1] Navajo Nation president Jonathan Nez and his family were in the crowd at the time of the crash and narrowly avoided being hit.[3][4]
The driver of the SUV, later identified as Jeff Kenn Irving, attempted to drive away from the incident, turning down a side street before being stopped. Irving was carrying two passengers in his car during the attack, who have been detained by police.[5][1]
Background[edit]
The Gallup Intertribal Celebration was founded in 1922 to honor native American heritage, and is among New Mexico's longest running public events.[2][6][7] For its centennial celebration, the parade on August 4th was planned to kick-off the eleven day long festival. As many as 1,000 people lined the parade route.
Parade crash[edit]
The vehicle ramming occurred around 7:50 pm local time, only 15 minutes after the parade began, on West Coal Avenue. A group of children performing a traditional dance were among the first to be struck.[3] Dozens of paradegoers quickly ran to the sides of the street, causing commotion and panic.[8] Jonathan Nez was rushed to safety by Navajo council members also in attendance.
After speeding through the crowd, the SUV swerved down a side street in an attempt to flee the scene. It crashed into a parked vehicle and officers promptly arrested those inside the SUV.[5][7]
Many news outlets noted the vast amount of debris left strewn along the street in the immediate aftermath. West Coal Avenue is home to several native American business; many arts and craft stores in particular. Blankets, shoes, banners, and umbrellas were left along the road as people fled.[9]
Perpetrator[edit]
Gallup police arrested Jeff Kenn Irving (born c. 1989), who was at the wheel of the SUV. Irving was driving under the influence when he rammed into the parade - his blood-alcohol level was three times the legal limit.[9] Irving already had a previous DWI on his record. For the parade ramming, he faces 21 charges, including 14 counts of leaving the scene of an accident.[4][5]
Response[edit]
Navajo president Jonathan Nez - who had been in the path of the vehicle but was rushed aside to safety - later reflected on the event saying "You would think it would never happen here. I’m sorry to say it happened here in Gallup, New Mexico." and "it was a difficult time for us".[3]
Gallup city officials and the New Mexico Tourism Department similarly expressed condolences.[10] According to New Mexico governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, the Intertribal Celebration will continue as normal though additional security and a behavioral health crisis team will be present.[9]
The parade ramming became rather highly publicized for a drunk driving incident, with multiple national and international news sources reporting on the event (these include The Washington Post, The Guardian, and CNN, as well as others that can be found in the references list below). This is likely due to the nature of the ramming happening during a public event and the high quantity of non-fatal casualties.
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "SUV plows through parade route in New Mexico injuring 15 people including two police officers". USA Today. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "SUV drives into Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial parade, causing injuries". Navajo-Hopi Observer. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "New Mexico: several arrested after SUV drives into Native American parade". The Gaurdian. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "SUV speeds through New Mexico parade, at least 15 injuries confirmed". FOX59. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Driver charged with DWI after Gallup parade crash". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
- ↑ "Ceremonial Centennial Celebration". Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "SUV drives into Native American parade, causing injuries". Richmond News. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
- ↑ "SUV driven through Native American parade injuring several in New Mexico – video". The Gaurdian. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "SUV barrels through Native American parade; 15 injured". The Washington Post. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
- ↑ "Man who allegedly drove SUV through Native American parade in New Mexico accused of aggravated DWI". CNN. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
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