Staff Reports
A man is facing vehicular homicide charges following a fatal drunk driving crash that claimed the lives of a couple on Sept. 3.
McKinley County Sheriff’s Deputy Ernesto Giron was dispatched to the 4.5-mile marker on State Road 566 following a head-on collision between a gold Chevrolet Malibu and a blue Ford Escape.
First responders found two occupants in the Ford Escape: driver Frank Begay, who was pronounced dead at the scene, and his wife, Ida Begay. Ida was transported to a local hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries.
The driver of the Malibu, 24-year-old Bradley Dubois Jr., was found alive in his vehicle.
While medical personnel evaluated Dubois, Giron reportedly noted a strong odor of alcohol on his breath and observed him mumbling incoherently. Investigators recovered two open containers from Dubois’ vehicle—a 24 oz. Truly Hard Seltzer can and a 375 mL bottle of Smirnoff vodka. Hospital staff reportedly later discovered a half-empty bottle of “99 Grapes” in his pocket while preparing for an 11:30 pm blood alcohol test.
A witness traveling northbound behind the Begays reported seeing southbound headlights swerving across lanes before Dubois’ vehicle crossed into incoming traffic and struck the couple’s vehicle head-on.
In an email to the Sun, the couple’s niece shared a heartfelt tribute to her family: “My aunt and her husband didn’t deserve this; they were good Christian people.”
Dubois faces two counts of homicide by vehicle (DWI). His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 23 in Gallup District Court.
