Two Ohkay Owingeh brothers who part of the Santa Fe Indian School athletic department were killed last week in a head-on collision near Abiquiú.
Jayson Abeyta, 47, who was the Braves boys basketball coach, and Nathan Abeyta, 42, who was the assistant athletic director, died in the accident near the intersection of U.S. 84 and N.M. 554.
The accident happened about 6 a.m. April 17 when a Chevrolet Camaro heading south on U.S. 84, drifted into the northbound lane, colliding head-on with a Jeep Wrangler in which the Abeyta brothers were traveling en route to a fishing trip, according to New Mexico State Police Public Information Officer Silver Wilson.
The driver of the Camaro, 19-year-old Isaac Madrid, also was killed in the crash.
The accident has had a profound effect on the community, said Eric Brock, SFIS athletic director.
“These two guys were beautiful Native American male role models,” he said. “It’s a sad loss for our school and communities.”
But the lives of the brothers, who were both SFIS alums and had children who also graduated from the school, were well-lived and their legacy will remain through the connections they made with countless students, Brock said.
Jason Abeyta was named the Braves head coach for the 2015-16 season and also was the attendance counselor, Brock added, while Nathan Abeyta had been at the school for about 15 years.
“They had an impact on our Native kids in Northern New Mexico that will always be there,” Brock said. “Their time at school was not wasted. We graduate 110 to 115 kids every year and each one of those kids has something from those two individuals that will be carried on forever.”
The school’s Facebook page was filled with messages of condolences.
“On behalf of SFIS Parent Advisory (PAC), we are so saddened by this loss,” wrote Delight Faith Talawepi. “SFIS parents are appreciative of all SFIS administration and staff, and learning about Jason and Nate, breaks our hearts because we know how the two were so connected with all the students.”
She went on to say that the brothers were a true asset to the school and community.
“Jason has been my daughter’s guidance support since she started,” Talawepi wrote. “His last words to her yesterday was ‘have a good break and you better get those grades up,’ with a hug of support. And Nate, as PAC prepared for our events, it was always ‘we’d better check with Nate.’ Nate was always available to supporting (sic) our fundraisers. They will both be missed, our condolences to the Abeyta and SFIS family. May God’s peace be upon us all as we continue to mourn the loss of two brothers who are dearly loved.”
The accident occurred on the school’s first day of spring break; school will return to session on April 28.