A Shiprock woman will spend 21 months behind bars for her role in a violent crash that left an adult passenger with multiple fractures.
Tina Benally, 38, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, was sentenced in federal court to 21 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release for her assault conviction.
According to prosecutors, Benally crashed her vehicle into a semi-truck on March 2, 2012, after driving at excessive speeds while intoxicated. Two passengers, including a minor child, were in the vehicle at the time of the collision.
Benally had entered a guilty plea to the assault charge on May 22, 2013, admitting to her role in the crash. She has been in federal custody since her arrest on March 6, 2013.
The case was investigated by the Shiprock office of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Novaline D. Wilson.
Benally’s sentence marks the end of a nearly three-year ordeal that began with her indictment on February 27, 2013. The indictment charged her with assault resulting in serious bodily injury and child abuse.
The tragic crash has left a lasting impact on the community, with many calling for greater awareness about the dangers of drunk driving.
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Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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