⏱ 2 min read
Willis Kylestewa, a 42-year-old Zuni man, was behind the wheel of a vehicle with no working headlights on July 4, 2025, when he fled from law enforcement, speeding and swerving through traffic in Zuni, New Mexico. The vehicle flipped and crashed, ejecting Kylestewa and three passengers, two of whom died after being ejected, while another died inside the vehicle.
Kylestewa’s blood alcohol level was .317 at the hospital, and THC was also detected in his system. He pleaded guilty to three counts of second-degree murder and was sentenced to 18 years in prison.
The investigation was led by the Gallup Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, with assistance from the Zuni Police Department and Zuni Open Space. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas J. Marshall and Amy Mondragon prosecuted the case.
Kylestewa will be subject to five years of supervised release upon his release from prison. The sentence serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of drunk driving and the importance of holding offenders accountable.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Violent Crime
- Defendant: New Mexico
- Location: NM
- Source: DOJ Press Release
