A man from Pigeon Springs has been sentenced to three years of probation following a fatal drunk driving incident that occurred in September 2024. The crash resulted in the death of a passenger and injuries to others.
Court documents state that Irvin Virgil Wauneka, Jr., 35, who is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, was driving under the influence of alcohol on September 22, 2024. After consuming alcohol, Wauneka fell asleep at the wheel with Jane Doe as his passenger. His impaired driving led to a head-on collision with another vehicle. Jane Doe died at the scene from her injuries. The passengers in the other vehicle survived but sustained injuries; they will receive restitution.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office.
The case was investigated by the Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office, with assistance from the Navajo Police Department and Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittany DuChaussee is prosecuting the case.
