Zuni Pueblo Member Pleads Guilty to Triple Homicide in July 4 Fatal Crash

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A 42-year-old enrolled member of the Zuni Pueblo has pleaded guilty in federal court to three counts of second-degree murder stemming from a July 4, 2025 vehicle crash that left three passengers dead within the boundaries of the Zuni Pueblo.

According to court filings and admissions entered in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico, Willis Kylestewa was operating a vehicle while severely intoxicated during nighttime hours without functioning headlights. The vehicle carried four passengers.

Law enforcement officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop after observing the vehicle operating without headlights. Instead of complying, Kylestewa fled at high speed, swerving through traffic and accelerating in an apparent effort to evade officers. During the pursuit, he lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle rolled over and crashed.

Kylestewa and three passengers were ejected from the vehicle. Two passengers were pronounced deceased at the scene. A third passenger, who remained inside the vehicle during the crash sequence, succumbed to injuries sustained in the collision. The fourth passenger survived.

Medical testing conducted at a hospital following the crash revealed a blood alcohol concentration of .317 — nearly four times the legal limit in New Mexico. Toxicology screening also detected the presence of THC in Kylestewa’s system.

Federal prosecutors charged Kylestewa under statutes applicable within Indian Country, where certain violent felony offenses fall under federal jurisdiction. The Major Crimes Act grants federal courts authority to prosecute specified offenses, including murder, when committed by an enrolled tribal member within tribal land boundaries.

By pleading guilty to three counts of second-degree murder, Kylestewa admitted to conduct demonstrating a reckless disregard for human life under federal homicide standards. Second-degree murder under federal law does not require proof of premeditation but does require proof of malice aforethought — defined as conduct that is wanton, willful, or demonstrates extreme indifference to human life.

At sentencing, Kylestewa faces a potential penalty of up to life imprisonment on each count. The court will determine the final sentence after reviewing federal sentencing guidelines, victim impact statements, and other statutory considerations.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, Gallup Resident Agency, with assistance from the Zuni Police Department and Zuni Open Space authorities. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas J. Marshall and Amy Mondragon of the District of New Mexico.

Sentencing will be scheduled by the court at a later date.

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

🔥 NOW AVAILABLE! 🔥

‎👉 Eclipsera – Apple Music

---

---

---

---

---