Drowning victims ID'd
Pinedale man, young son lost lives attempting to cross flooded bridge

By Natasha Kaye Johnson
Diné Bureau

GALLUP — A 29 year-old Pinedale man and his 2-year old sonwere killed late Thursday evening in Church Rock after attempting to cross a flooded bridge

Officials report that Darrell Luther and his son, Deamini, were found in a gray Chevy Euro Sport four-door sedan in a ditch just north of Tabernacle Road and Uphill Road in the Springstead area, 5.5 miles north of Church Rock.

"We found the male individual with his leg protruding from the driver's window," said Sgt. Tim Johnson with the Navajo Nation Public Safety Crownpoint District.

"The driver was crossing and the sedan was swept into the rushing waters," said Johnson. "It looks like the father was maybe trying to protect the boy."

Officials believe that Luther was attempting to remove the child and then get out, but waters were too strong and filled the vehicle too quickly. Johnson said the strong waters and debris caused the windshield to cave in that created an immediate whirlpool effect inside the car.

"The water and sand swept into the cab of the vehicle," said Johnson. "The father and the child were trapped in the vehicle; they drowned."

Officials stated that Luther's right leg was protruding through the window, and his left leg was trapped inside the vehicle. A child's car seat was found in the vehicle, but officials said the child was not found in the seat, and believe that he may been have swept to the back part of the car during the father's attempts to removehim. The child was found against the left rear passenger door.

Johnson said a passing motorist reported an accident to the Pinedale Fire and Rescue around 9:55 p.m., and that the Crownpoint District received a dispatch call confirming that the motorists were confirmed deceased.

"The vehicle was found partially buried in the bottom of the arroyo," said Johnson.

Officials stated that the area where the vehicle was found was about eight to nine feet deep in water.

After investigating the scene area, Johnson said they believes that Luther was trying to cross the road over a flooded bridge towards stateline Road 566 toward Church Rock.

The family was notified Friday morning around 4 a.m. and the bodies were sent to Cope Mortuary.

Crownpoint District officers, as well as other others from various districts, were on standby in the Church Rock area Friday evening in case strong waters returned, and roads needed to be monitored.

Navajo Nation officials also reported that community members were without water on Friday due to water line damage from the floods. Cases of bottled water had to be transported into the area from both Gallup and Window Rock.

Officials say that this is the first incident in the area where motorists where killed as a result of their vehicle being flooded. Although tribal, state, and city entities warn motorists of the dangers of flash floods, officials say that people tend to underestimate the strength of the waters.

"Every time we let them know not to start crossing roads," said Johnson. "There are signs up that warn people to not attempt people not to cross roads.

"Flash floods happen so quickly," said Johnson. "You don't have time to react."