ALBUQUERQUE — A Thoreau woman has pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter after fatally striking a man with her vehicle while driving intoxicated following an argument, federal prosecutors announced.
Nora Abeita, 50, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, entered her plea in connection with the May 28, 2023, incident, which left John Doe dead. According to court records, Abeita and several others, including the victim, had been drinking together earlier that morning when a dispute broke out. After the altercation, Abeita attempted to leave the residence with a friend and struck John Doe with her vehicle while driving away.
Abeita did not immediately realize she had hit the victim until others at the scene alerted her, court records state. John Doe died from his injuries.
Authorities said Abeita’s blood alcohol content measured .16 — more than twice the legal limit in both New Mexico and on the Navajo Nation — approximately five hours after the crash.
Abeita faces up to eight years in federal prison when sentenced and will be subject to up to three years of supervised_ release upon completion of her term.
U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Ellison and FBI Albuquerque Field Office Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda announced the guilty plea. The case was investigated by the Navajo Nation Department of Public Safety with assistance from the Navajo Nation Police Department and the FBI’s Gallup Resident Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Marshall is prosecuting the case.