CHILCHINBETO, Ariz. - The aunt of 15-year-old Mackenzie Nephew-Tsosie says the family of the teen is devastated and angry over her death, which was caused by a suspected drunk driver, according to the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety.
A press release from the Navajo Nation said Tsosie was getting off her school bus on Tuesday afternoon around 4 p.m. on Navajo Route 59, near milepost 31, when the accident occurred. The teen was transported to the Kayenta Medical Center, but she died from her injuries.
Community members organized a memorial walk and balloon release on Thursday to honor the teen, who attended Monument Valley High School and loved sports, Marvel comics and the Baltimore Ravens.
Purple balloons were also released, a nod to Nephew-Tsosie's favorite color.
The family says they're extremely thankful to the outpouring of support from the community and also set up a GoFundMe account to help with funeral expenses.
Newphew-Tsosie was the middle sibling out of five children. She is survived by her four brothers and her parents. Funeral arrangements are scheduled for Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Chilchinbeto Cemetery.
