Navajo Nation, AZ (January 9, 2026) – A devastating rollover crash on Route 12 in the Navajo Nation claimed one life and left two others seriously injured on Tuesday afternoon, according to officials from the Navajo Police Department’s Chinle District.
The single-vehicle accident occurred around 12:06 p.m. on January 6 near milepost 83.5. Investigators determined that a black and blue 1990 GMC Sierra was traveling at a high rate of speed when the driver lost control. The vehicle overturned and came to rest on its roof along the highway.
When Navajo Nation police arrived, they found three occupants of the overturned truck, none of whom were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash. Tragically, one person was pronounced dead at the scene. The other two were critically injured and transported to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment.
Authorities also reported finding a container of alcohol outside the vehicle. While the official cause of the crash is still under investigation, police have stated that speed and impairment are being considered as contributing factors.
Route 12 was closed for more than seven hours as law enforcement conducted a thorough investigation and worked to clear the scene. As of Wednesday evening, the identities of those involved had not been publicly released.
We extend our deepest condolences to the family of the person who lost their life and hope for a full recovery for the two injured individuals.
