Man Arrested After Fatal Crash on Navajo Nation

FBI Albuquerque Division
Public Affairs Specialist Frank Fisher
December 31, 2013

Fanderick Chiquito, 23, of Upper Fruitland, N.M., was arrested today (12/31/2013) in connection with a vehicle collision that sent a woman to the hospital, where she died.

The FBI, with the assistance of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety, arrested Chiquito in Upper Fruitland, on the Navajo Nation. He is expected to appear in U.S. District Court in Albuquerque on 2 January 2014.

Witnesses said Chiquito was the driver of a 1997 Chevrolet pick-up truck that attempted to pass vehicles on N36 near Mile Marker 25, in the area of Upper Fruitland, on December 23, 2013, at approximately 9:40 p.m.

The truck collided with another vehicle.

An adult female who is not being identified at this time was a passenger in the truck.

She was taken to San Juan Regional Medical Center, where she died the next morning.

Neither Chiquito nor the driver of the other vehicle were seriously injured.

Tests after the crash determined Chiquito's blood-alcohol concentration was .29 percent, above the legal limit for driving in New Mexico, which is 0.08 percent

Navajo Nation law enforcement, the San Juan County Sheriff's Office, New Mexico State Police and FBI responded to the crash.

No further information will be released until after Chiquito's court appearance.

The public is reminded that all persons are considered innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.