What to Know
Giovanni Huerta and Kiah Begaye met in high school and fell in love. Together, the 26-year-old parents had two sons, 4-year-old Dakota and 2-year-old Malakai.
While traveling home from a Labor Day trip, a pickup truck driver crashed head-on into the family’s vehicle on Highway 260 near Heber-Overgaard, Arizona. All four died in the crash, but the driver, Jesse Lovato, 21, survived. He faces charges of manslaughter and aggravated assault.
Lovato allegedly fell asleep at the wheel.
Fox 10 reported the crash occurred around 12:30 p.m. on September 7, 2026. Per court documents, Lovato was driving his truck with a 21-year-old woman and a 14-year-old boy inside.
He allegedly told police he was driving from Phoenix to New Mexico and fell asleep. Lovato reportedly woke up “when the crash occurred, and his truck rolled over.” Police arrested him at the scene.
The victims’ families called the accident a “nightmare.”
Begaye’s mother, Chrissy Kaibetoney, told AZ Family that her daughter and their family were just getting started on their life together.
“No, it doesn’t seem fair at all because they were so young, so young, had whole life ahead of them, had plans, had goals, had adventures they wanted to go on,” Kaibetoney said.
Joel Huerta, Huerta’s father, agreed and said he just wants to wake up.
“It’s like a dream, and I’m still wanting to wake up. I wake up, and I am still in the dream — more like a nightmare,” Huerta said.
The families said Huerta and Begaye married in April and had big plans. Huerta worked as an auto mechanic, and Begaye began a Native American clothing business.
“Losing your loved ones in an instant like that has no words to describe it,” Kaibetoney added.
Loved ones created a GoFundMe to help with final expenses.
The GoFundMe raised more than $88,000 in just a few days. Veronica Uballe wrote about life’s fragility and how fast things change.
“In an instant, a beautiful family of four was taken from us, leaving behind heartbroken family members and loved ones who are struggling to understand how this could have happened,” she shared.
“Kiah and Giovanni were only 26 years old, with their whole lives ahead of them. Dakota was just 4 years old, and little Malakai was only 2 both had just started preschool. They were a family who should have had countless more birthdays, holidays, memories, and moments together.”
Condolences poured in for the family.
Angelita Avila, Huerta’s mother, posted about the accident on Facebook.
“With a heavy heart, I am sharing the devastating news that my son, daughter-in-law, and beautiful grandchildren have passed away. We are heartbroken and struggling to process this immense loss,” she wrote.
Many offered prayers and love.
“Tita, my deepest condolences to you and your entire family. My heart breaks for all of you during this unimaginable and heartbreaking time. Sending you all my love, strength, and prayers. I’m so sorry for the loss of your loved ones,” someone wrote.
This person agreed, writing, “Omg that is so traumatic, sending prayers to get you through this difficult period of such tremendous grief. I wish you and your family warmth in this time.”
Per Fox 10, A Navajo County Superior Court judge set Lovato’s bond at $5 million.
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