Cody Allen Charlie, Deadly DWI Crash, New Mexico 2022

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico – In a devastating case of drunk driving, Cody Allen Charlie, 38, an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Laguna, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for a fatal DWI crash on the Laguna Pueblo in 2022 that killed three members of the same family.

The crime took place on August 7, 2022, when Charlie was driving intoxicated at 116 miles per hour while using his cell phone and crashed into another vehicle on Interstate 40, near mile marker 130. The impact caused the other vehicle to veer off the interstate and onto the shoulder, where it rolled over. All three occupants of that vehicle were killed in the crash.

Charlie left his wrecked vehicle and ran from the scene, instead of providing help to his victims. His reckless actions resulted in the loss of three innocent lives.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico announced the sentencing today. According to court documents, Charlie has been found guilty of the following charges: Operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and causing the death of another person.

Charlie will be subject to five years of supervised release upon his release from prison. He must also make full monetary restitution to the victims of his crimes. As part of his supervised release, Charlie will be subject to alcohol and substance-abuse monitoring, and he must also complete mental-health and substance-abuse programs. As a convicted felon, Charlie is no longer permitted to own or possess a firearm.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, with assistance from the Laguna Police Department and New Mexico State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brittany DuChaussee and Zachary C. Jones are prosecuting the case.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez made the announcement today, stating that Charlie’s actions were reckless and inexcusable. He emphasized that drunk driving is a serious crime that can have devastating consequences.

Charlie’s sentence serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing road safety and the severity of the consequences for those who choose to drive under the influence.

Related Federal Cases