A man from Zuni Pueblo has admitted guilt in federal court for the deaths of three people following a car crash on July 4, 2025.
Court records show that Willis Kylestewa, 42, was driving under the influence with four passengers in a vehicle that did not have working headlights. When law enforcement tried to stop him, Kylestewa attempted to evade police by speeding and swerving through traffic. He lost control of the vehicle, which overturned and crashed. Kylestewa and three passengers were thrown from the car; two died at the scene while a third passenger died inside the vehicle. Tests at the hospital revealed Kylestewa had a blood alcohol level of .317 and THC in his system.
Kylestewa pleaded guilty to three counts of second-degree murder. At sentencing, he could face any number of years up to life in prison.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office, announced the plea.
The case was investigated by the Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office with help from the Zuni Police Department and Zuni Open Space. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas J. Marshall and Amy Mondragon are prosecuting.
