A 44-year-old man has been charged with vehicular homicide for the death of Esther Martinez, a nationally recognized Pueblo storyteller and linguist.

Jaime Martinez Gonzalez, a Mexican national, drove his truck into the car carrying Martinez and her two daughters. Martinez, who was 94, was on her way home after receiving a National Heritage Fellowship Award in Washington, D.C.

Police suspect alcohol was a factor. They smelled alcohol on Gonzalez and saw a bottle of liquor in his truck. The results of his blood-alcohol test are pending.

The incident occurred in Espanola, a town near Ohkay Owingeh, formerly known as San Juan Pueblo. Martinez was a language teacher at the Bureau of Indian Affairs school on the reservation.

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Man charged in death of pueblo storyteller (The Santa Fe New Mexican 9/20)
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2006 National Heritage Fellowships:
Bio: Esther Martinez | List of Recipients

Related Stories:
Funeral for Esther Martinez set for Wednesday (9/19)
Esther Martinez, linguist and storyteller, dies at 94 (9/18)
Pueblo woman keeps Tewa language, culture alive (08/28)
Pueblo woman wins National Heritage Fellowship (06/16)