DWI tragedy

It's not uncommon to see a packed gymnasium on the Navajo Nation, especially at the height of basketball season, but Tuesday evening's gathering here was for a different reason.

People from the local and surrounding communities gathered inside the gym at Naschitti Elementary to give their support to the family of Del Lynn and DeShauna Peshlakai, who were killed March 5 in Santa Fe by an alleged drunk driver.

Del, 18, and DeShauna, 17, were riding in the backseat of their parents' Chevy Malibu when they were hit from behind by James Ruiz, 34, of Albuquerque. They were in town to watch their school, Newcomb High, play Santa Fe Indian School in the opening round of the Class 3A girls state basketball tournament.

Ruiz has been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide and driving on a revoked or suspended license. He remains in Santa Fe County Jail on a $2 million cash bond.

Funeral services are set for Friday, March 12, at 10 a.m. at Rehoboth Christian Reformed Church with burial at the Naschitti cemetery. Donations are being accepted at any Wells Fargo Bank under the name "Peshlakai Memorial."

Long lines formed near the gym's entrance, one for monetary donations and another for people wanting to comfort the girls' family members.

"You can tell how much they were loved, how much they cared for them," said their uncle, Richard Bowman, as he looked around the room.

Their sister Danell spoke briefly at the meeting.

"We always helped plan a funeral but we never thought we would do it for our own family," she said.

Community leaders, family members and friends shared memories and words about Del and DeShauna.

"I'm trying to smile for you guys (the audience) but deep inside, I'm hurting," said another uncle, Alex Thomas, after taking the microphone.

He expressed the family's appreciation for the outpouring of support they've received from the community, the state and the people of Santa Fe.

"They were so young," he said, adding that Del was a couple days shy of her 19th birthday, which the family celebrated in her honor.

Both sisters were avid basketball players. DeShauna was on the Newcomb High team but due to an earlier ankle injury she did not play in the game against SFIS. Instead, she attended the game with her family to cheer on the Skyhawks.

Then an audience member stood up and recalled seeing Del in her baggy basketball uniform when she played for Naschitti Elementary.

"They were interested in basketball, that's why they followed these teams everywhere," said their uncle Richard.

Both sisters attended Newcomb High, where DeShauna was a senior, and the students there are trying their best to cope with the loss, said school counselor Judy Douglas.

"They're having a hard time, but they're pulling together," she said. "You can see the family spirit at our school."

Douglas doubles as the assistant senior class sponsor, and knew the sisters for many years.

"You won't find two finer young ladies," she said.

On one side of the gym sat a makeshift memorial set up by the sisters' school friends. Among the written tributes were pictures of Del and DeShauna in their athletic uniforms and paper cutouts of basketballs and volleyballs were plastered along with each sister's player numbers.

"Everyday you made my life worthwhile, couldn't wait to see your smile," someone wrote in a poem. "I pray for you both."

The girls, along with their parents David Peshlakai and Darlene Thomas, were heading for home after the game when Ruiz allegedly drove a pickup truck into the family's sedan as it traveled on Cerrillos Road. The accident caused a chain reaction that involved three other cars and injured 15 other people.

DeShauna was pronounced dead at the scene and Del died a few hours later at Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center in Santa Fe, according to news reports. Their parents were also admitted to Christus St. Vincent, where they were still being treated at press time Wednesday.

Ruiz has a history of DWI and other driving violations. His criminal record dates back to May 1993, including five DWI charges, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican.

On Monday, he appeared in front of Judge Sandra Miera in Santa Fe Magistrate Court to hear the charges against him for Friday's accident. The following day, Tuesday, he made another court appearance in connection with a May 2008 DWI arrest.

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