The funeral for Esther Martinez, a nationally recognized Pueblo linguist and storyteller, will be held Wednesday at Ohkay Owingeh, New Mexico.

Martinez died in a car accident Saturday night. She was on her way home after receiving a National Heritage Fellowship in Washington, D.C. She was 94.

The SUV carrying Martinez and her two daughters was hit by another truck. Police say the driver was drinking and may face vehicular homicide charges. Martinez's daughters were injured and are recovering.

Rep. Tom Udall (D-New Mexico) and officials from the National Endowment for the Arts plan to attend the funeral. Ohkay Owingeh Gov. Joe Garcia called it a great loss for the tribe.

Get the Story:
Family tries to make sense of crash death (The Santa Fe New Mexican 9/19)
pwpwd
Alcohol Suspected in Crash That Killed Tewa Storyteller (The Albuquerque Journal 9/19)
Suspected DWI crash kills storyteller (KRQE News 9/18)

2006 National Heritage Fellowships:
Bio: Esther Martinez | List of Recipients

Related Stories:
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)