Pinedale man pleads guilty in Ceremonial parade DWI case
Navajo Times | Donovan Quintero
Alleged drunk driver Jeff K. Irving from Pinedale, N.M., is escorted to a police unit after he is handcuffed during the 100th Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial in Gallup, in 2022.
GALLUP – A Pinedale man pleaded guilty Monday to charges stemming from a drunk driving incident during the city’s 100th Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial parade in August 2022.
Jeff Irving, who is facing 21 charges, including aggravated assault on police officers and great bodily harm by vehicle, reached a plea agreement with the McKinley County District Attorney’s Office.
Irving pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated battery causing great bodily harm and two counts of aggravated battery causing bodily injury, all while driving under the influence, according to Gallup District Attorney Bernadine Martin.
Martin told the Navajo Times that the sentencing will take place 35-45 days after Adult Probation and Parole prepares a pre-sentencing report.
“Witnesses and victims will have a chance to testify before sentencing,” Martin said. “The judge has discretion to sentence him to up to six and a half years, including probation, incarceration, or a combination of both.”
Irving has already been incarcerated for one and a half years, awaiting trial for the August 22 incident.
The incident involved Irving allegedly injuring multiple people, including two police officers while driving through the parade route intoxicated. The plea agreement resolves the original 21 charges against him.
Highway 264,
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