Kayenta man charged in parade incident that killed 3-year-old child

WINDOW ROCK

A 67-year-old Kayenta man has been charged in Navajo Nation court in connection with a vehicle incident that occurred just before the start of the Kayenta Christmas Light Parade and resulted in the death of a 3-year-old child, according to the Navajo Nation Office of the Prosecutor.

Prosecutors announced Dec. 23 that Stanley Begay Jr., 67, of the Kayenta area, has been charged with homicide by vehicle in Kayenta Judicial District Court following the Dec. 22 incident. The criminal complaint alleges Begay violated Title 14, Section 703 of the Navajo Nation Code by driving a vehicle into a crowd of pedestrians, resulting in the child’s death.

The incident occurred on Navajo Route 591 near the Kayenta Rodeo Grounds before the parade was scheduled to begin, according to Kayenta Township Manager Jarvis Williams.

“The incident occurred on Navajo Route 591 near the rodeo grounds at our second annual Christmas light parade,” Williams said Monday night. “The incident occurred prior to the parade starting and we had received the call that there was an incident or an accident and several people were injured.”

Williams said the parade had been scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. and that attendees were still arriving and looking for parking when the incident occurred.

“It was before folks were still finding their way to the parking area,” he said.

Williams said attendees had been directed to park and then line the roadway on foot.

“Our attendees were asked to park in the parking lot and then to bring their chairs and line up along the road,” he said.

The parade route was planned to run about half a mile, starting at the north end of Route 591 and ending at the rodeo grounds, where a Christmas market was scheduled to follow. The event was canceled after the incident.

Williams said four people were injured and that multiple emergency responders were dispatched.

“We believe four have been injured,” he said. “Several EMS units were called to respond, and I’m unsure about the condition of the injured, but they are of great concern to us.”

Williams said the parade drew a large crowd and thanked emergency responders for their quick response.

“We ask that everyone keep all of the injured in their prayers,” Williams said at the time. “The well-being of the injured is our concern.”

According to the Office of the Prosecutor, the charge against Begay was filed by a Major Crimes Unit attorney-prosecutor temporarily assigned to the Kayenta Judicial District. Prosecutors said they worked quickly to review evidence and coordinate with law enforcement to ensure Begay remained in custody while charges were prepared.

Prosecutors coordinated with the Kayenta Navajo Police Department, the Kayenta Department of Criminal Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to file the charge before the court recessed for the remainder of the week.

Sources familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described Begay as a known bootlegger and drug dealer. Authorities have not publicly confirmed those details.

Begay remains in tribal custody and is scheduled to be arraigned Jan. 13, 2026. Prosecutors have also filed a motion requesting that he be held without release while the case is pending.

“Under Navajo law, and because the Navajo Nation has not adopted enhanced sentencing authority under the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010, the maximum sentence for Homicide by Vehicle is one year of incarceration and a $5,000 fine, limitations imposed on tribal courts through the Indian Civil Rights Act,” the press release states.

Chief Prosecutor Vernon L. Jackson Sr. said tribal courts exercise lawful authority.

“Nevertheless, a conviction in Navajo Nation District Court is still a conviction, with real and enforceable consequences under Navajo law,” Jackson said.

Meanwhile, the family of the child, identified in a public GoFundMe fundraiser as Karson, has launched a campaign seeking community support following the tragedy.

The fundraiser states that Karson’s mother, her fiancé and his grandfather were also injured and are recovering. Funds raised are intended to help cover medical expenses, counseling and other unexpected costs.

As of this week, nearly $25,000 of the $40,000 goal has been donated.

Begay is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in the Kayenta Judicial District Court.

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