A federal judge in New Mexico plans to issue a ruling today in a lawsuit accusing the Bureau of Indian Affairs of ignoring an employee's drunk driving problem.

Closing arguments in the wrongful death lawsuit will come today. The BIA presented its defense yesterday, producing witnesses who said they never saw employee Lloyd Larson drinking on the job.

Larson was driving drunk when his government vehicle hit a car carrying two Nebraska couples, killing them. He was allowed to drive for the BIA despite a record of DWI arrests and convictions.

The families of the two couples brought suits against the BIA. One family settled for $2 million. The other family decided to go to court.

Larson was an employee of the BIA's Navajo Region. The family called witnesses who said top officials and supervisors ignored drinking problems of employees. The BIA's regional director testified that she couldn't define a "safe driving record" and left review of employee driving records to subordinates. A BIA safety chief said there was an "atmosphere" of drinking at the agency.

Get the Story:
Ruling expected today in BIA DWI lawsuit (AP 4/21)
Defense Testifies in BIA Trial (The Albuquerque Journal 4/21)
Judge: Couple in crash didn't suffer (The Albuquerque Tribune 4/20)

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Slew of BIA superiors reported drinking problems (4/19) Slew of BIA superiors reported drinking problems (4/19)
Judge limits damages in BIA drunk driving case (4/20)
BIA employees saw signs of colleague's drinking (4/16)
BIA safety officer testifies of 'atmosphere' of drinking (4/15)
BIA regional official can't define safe driving record (4/14)