Honor run: Remember Peshlakai sisters
By Alastair Lee Bitsoi
Navajo Times
NASCHITTI, N.M., June 17, 2011
TOP: A photograph of Del and DeShauna Peshlakai adorns a motorcycle June 26. The "Angels vs. Drunk Drivers" Bike Run drew 209 bikers who started off from Window Rock, Gallup and Farmington, met at Sheepsprings and ended at Naschitti, N.M. (Courtesy photo - Tracey Dawes)
BOTTOM: Dorene Thomas, aunt of the late Peshlakai sisters Del Lynn and DeShauna who were killed by a drunk drive last spring, helps make bandannas for the "Angels vs. Drunk Drivers" motorcycle run scheduled June 25. (Courtesy photo)
It was only last spring that the family was driving home from a basketball game in Santa Fe, N.M., when a drunk driver slammed into the back of their car, killing sisters Del Lynn, 19, and DeShauna, 17.
Their parents are determined to see that their daughters and the reason they died will not be forgotten.
"One of the reasons I chose a bike ride is because of its attention," said Darlene Peshlakai, who named the event "Angels vs. Drunk Drivers." This year's run takes place June 25.
Repeat DUI offender James Ruiz of Albuquerque is facing trial on two counts of vehicular homicide in connection with the March 5, 2010, crash that killed the girls. Meanwhile Ruiz, 36, is in the Santa Fe County jail under a $2 million cash-only bail bond. He is also charged with driving with a suspended or revoked driver's license.
The victims' parents, Darlene and David Peshlakai, sustained injuries from the crash, but nevertheless organized the first memorial bike run within a few months of their daughters' deaths. It attracted over 200 riders, and the Peshlakai family hopes participation this year will be even bigger, despite the route being longer than last year.
"Ever since this happened, we have tried to succeed against drunk driving," David said. "We don't want anyone to experience what we went through. We're all still hurting."
Darlene hopes Angels vs. Drunk Drivers will carry their message far and wide, so that everyone who sees the riders will think about the potential consequences if they drink and drive.
According to the Century Council, an organization dedicated to fighting drunk driving and underage drinking, last year 41 states and the District of Columbia saw a decrease in DUI-related fatalities.
Despite that good news, the numbers tell an alarming story. In Arizona, the Century Council reported 219 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities and 22 fatalities involving alcohol-impaired drivers under 21, the legal age to drink, based on 2009 data. New Mexico had 114 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities and 28 involving underage drinking during the same period, the organization reported.
On the Navajo Nation, the DUI rates are relatively the same per capita as those in Arizona and New Mexico, according to Window Rock District Police Sgt. Terry John.
In the Window Rock district alone, there were 1,527 DUIs in 2009, 15 of them involving a death, according to statistics from the Division of Public Safety.
"In Santa Fe, they are really supporting us," said David, expressing thanks for support received from Laguna Pueblo's Route 66 Casino and San Felipe Pueblo's Casino Hollywood.
"If the Navajo Nation gets behind us, it may help curb drunk driving. It's an issue that affects everyone," he said.
The 2nd Annual Angels vs. Drunk Drivers bike run starts at two locations this year, Farmington and Naschitti. The routes join at Casino Hollywood in San Felipe, N.M, and from there the run goes north to Santa Fe where it will terminate at the site of the crash on Cerrillos Road.
Following a prayer service at the site, dinner will be served at the Santa Fe Indian School.
Riders starting in Farmington should meet at 8 a.m. in the parking lot of American Home Furnishings. Registration starts at 8 a.m. Naschitti riders should meet at the chapter house, where registration will start at 7 a.m.
The Farmington route will go on U.S. 550 south to Interstate 25, then north to San Felipe. The Naschitti route will go south on U.S 491 to Interstate 40, east to I-25, then north to join the other riders at San Felipe.
There is a $25 registration fee, which includes a T-shirt, bandanna and patch.
Information: Arnold, 505-801-2396; Antonita, 505-409-9259; Darlene, 505-870-6969; or Lacey, 505-870-5649.