Jazmyne Deschinny, DUI Crash, New Mexico 2023

ALBUQUERQUE – A shocking display of reckless driving ended in disaster for a Shiprock woman, who was sentenced to 33 months in prison for driving under the influence and causing a multi-passenger collision in 2023.

According to court documents, Jazmyne Deschinny, 22, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, drove a vehicle with eight occupants, including five children, while under the influence of alcohol and drugs. While passing through the intersection of U.S. Highway 491 and U.S. Highway 64 in Shiprock, within the Navajo Nation, Deschinny ran a red light and collided with a flatbed trailer being towed by a truck.

Law enforcement and medical personnel responded quickly to the chaotic scene, providing life-saving care and transporting the injured to local hospitals. The impact caused severe injuries to multiple passengers, including children. One child suffered critical head trauma requiring emergency surgery and extended hospitalization.

The subsequent investigation revealed that most occupants, including children, were not properly restrained in the vehicle. At the hospital, Deschinny’s blood alcohol content was measured at .264 — over three times the legal limit — and she also tested positive for cannabinoids and opiates.

Deschinny admitted to consuming alcohol prior to driving and pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Upon her release from prison, Deschinny will be subject to two years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Philip Russell, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today. The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with the assistance of the Navajo Police Department and the Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Marshall is prosecuting the case.

The reckless actions of Deschinny have left a trail of destruction and suffering for the families involved. As the community continues to grapple with the consequences of this devastating crash, it serves as a stark reminder of the deadly consequences of driving under the influence.

Deschinny’s sentence is a testament to the severity of her actions and the importance of holding individuals accountable for their crimes. The consequences of her actions will be felt for years to come, and it is our hope that this case will serve as a warning to others of the dangers of driving under the influence.

Related Federal Cases