Crash resulted in the death of two individuals and serious injury to another

PHOENIX – Percy Silas Cly, 46, of Chinle, Ariz., was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Mary H. Murguia to 71 months in federal prison. Cly pleaded guilty on November 18, 2008, to one count of Involuntary Manslaughter and one count of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury as a result of causing a vehicle collision in Tuba City, Ariz., on the Navajo Nation.

On March 19, 2008, Cly was driving on the Navajo Nation in Tuba City. Cly had been drinking alcohol prior to driving and was intoxicated at the time of the crash. Hours later his blood alcohol concentration was .233, much higher than the Arizona legal limit of .08.

The crash occurred when Cly swerved from his lane of traffic into the passing lane and struck the front passenger side of a pick-up truck traveling in that lane. The driver of that truck lost control of his vehicle as a result of the collision and crossed into oncoming traffic. The truck then struck an oncoming car. Two passengers in the car were killed as a result of the crash. The driver of the car suffered serious bodily injury as a result of the crash, which necessitated significant additional surgery. Neither Cly nor the driver of the other truck sustained serious injuries.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the Navajo Nation Department of Criminal Investigations and the Arizona Department of Public Safety.  The prosecution was handled by Dimitra Sampson, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

CASE NUMBER:    CR-08-00760-PCT-MHM

RELEASE NUMBER: 2009-083(Cly)