Zuni Man Charged with Involuntary Manslaughter in Fatal Crash

ALBUQUERQUE - A Zuni man has been charged with involuntary manslaughter after allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol in a crash that killed a passenger and injured two children.

According to court documents, on June 7, 2026, Caine Aric Chimoni, 28, an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Zuni, was allegedly driving a pickup truck when the vehicle rolled onto its side. A woman who was a passenger in the vehicle was found unresponsive and was pronounced dead at the scene. Two children also were in the vehicle and sustained injuries.

Chimoni was transported to a local hospital, where he allegedly admitted to officers that he had been driving and may have been under the influence of alcohol. Blood testing showed a blood alcohol concentration of 162 mg/dL, indicating that Chimoni was intoxicated above New Mexico's legal limit. One of the injured children was transported to a regional hospital for treatment.

Chimoni is charged with involuntary manslaughter and will be released under the supervision of Federal Pretrial Services. If convicted of the current charge, Chimoni faces up to eight years in prison. Defendant will remain in custody pending trial.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Special Agent in Charge Justin A. Garris of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Albuquerque Field Office made the announcement today.

The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Zuni Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron O. Jordan is prosecuting the case.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.