Arizona Drunk Driver Sentenced for Navajo Nation Crash

Grisly Navajo Nation crash claims two lives, leaves one gravely injured: An Arizona man, Marvin Albert Wauneka, 40, has been sentenced to 40 months in prison for a drunk driving accident on the Navajo Nation that left two passengers dead and another seriously injured.

Wauneka, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, was reported drunk at work on November 14, 2024. The following night, he visited a Wal-Mart where he continued to consume alcohol. He then took off with four passengers in his vehicle, reaching speeds of up to 100 miles per hour on Navajo Route 54.

Tragedy struck when Wauneka lost control of the car, causing it to rollover. The violent crash left two passengers deceased at the scene and seriously injured a third. Miraculously, a fourth passenger escaped with minor injuries.

Wauneka’s blood alcohol content was .298 upon his arrival at the hospital. He has prior DWI convictions and pleaded guilty to two counts of involuntary manslaughter and one count of assault resulting in serious bodily injury. This conviction follows a previous 167-day sentence for the same offense, handed down by the Navajo Nation Tribal Court.

Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Acting Special Agent in Charge Philip Russell of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office announced the sentencing today. The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, with assistance from the Navajo Nation Department of Investigation and Department of Criminal Investigations, investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark A. Probasco is handling the prosecution.

Upon completing his prison term, Wauneka will be subject to three years of supervised release.

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