15 Injured After Drunk Driver Plows Through Native American Parade In US

Fifteen people were injured when a drunk driver plowed through a Native American parade in the US state of New Mexico.

Police said Jeff Irving, 33, sped through the parade route with his Chevrolet Tahoe SUV while fleeing from officers late Thursday in Gallup, 140 miles (225 kilometers) west of Albuquerque near the Arizona border.

"We're all shook up," Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said in a video posted on social media moments after the incident.

Nez said he and his family were marching in the parade, which had started 15 minutes prior, and that they dodged the SUV as it barreled through the crowd of several thousand onlookers.

"You would see this on television, you would think it would never happen here," he said. "I'm sorry to say it happened here in Gallup, New Mexico."

Irving was charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated, fleeing from officers and injuring parade-goers, including two police officers who tried to stop the SUV.

Authorities said Irving's blood-alcohol content was three times the legal driving limit, his driver's license had been revoked or suspended for a previous drunken driving charge and there was no registration or insurance on his vehicle.

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said Friday that the state will send extra police and a behavioral health crisis team to Gallup for the rest of the 10-day Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial Centennial Celebration.

Officials said most of the victims suffered minor injuries.

"We just ask for your prayers for all of the participants," said Nez. "It's supposed to be a celebration, but today it was a difficult time for us." -