Chinle Man on Navajo Nation Sentenced to Nine Years for Death and Injuries in Dui Collision

Broderick Ramon Coggeshell, a Chinle man guilty of killing one person and wounding another while driving drunk, has been sentenced to nine years in prison. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, the 38-year-old defendant previously pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and assault resulting in serious bodily injury, crimes committed in December 2022 when, while driving under the influence, his truck swerved over the center traffic line and collided with the vehicle of three brothers.

According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona, the terrible incident claimed the life of one brother and seriously injured another, leaving a family and community to deal with the consequences of his irresponsible conduct. In a news release issued Monday, United States District Judge Michael T. Liburdi announced the nine-year sentence, followed by three years of supervised release, bringing justice to the Navajo Nation individuals engaged in the tragedy.

The case investigation was headed by the Navajo Nation Criminal Investigations Division, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Kiyoko Patterson of the District of Arizona, Phoenix, handling the prosecution, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Driving intoxicated has once again demonstrated its terrible consequences, with Coggeshell’s actions leaving an indelible mark on everyone involved.

This story is a tragic reminder of the continuous scourge of driving while intoxicated, as it highlights another incident when a preventable error of judgment resulted in irrevocable catastrophe. This sentencing serves as a stark reminder, and hopefully a deterrent, to anyone who may consider driving after drinking, with the U.S. Attorney’s Office emphasizing that such offenses have serious repercussions.

Patterson’s prosecution exemplifies the government’s position on holding people accountable for dangerous decisions they make while under the influence. They announced the punishment in the hopes that it would reverberate across the neighborhood and beyond as a symbol of steadfast justice.

For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, or comparable cases, visit their website or follow them on Twitter at @USAO_AZ. Public Affairs contact Zach J. Stoebe can be reached at (602) 514-7413 or [email protected].