A shocking and heartbreaking incident unfolded in Nampa, Idaho, when a drunk woman behind the wheel of a Toyota Tundra pickup truck accelerated suddenly — sending a man riding in the truck bed flying to his death while three children watched helplessly.
46-year-old Miguel Martinez lost his life after being hurled from the moving vehicle on Saturday. The driver, 25-year-old Skylar Keeth, has since been arrested and charged with aggravated DUI and three counts of injury to a child, the Nampa Police Department announced Tuesday. Authorities confirmed that additional charges are still pending.
What Happened That Night
According to police, Keeth was driving the Toyota Tundra through Nampa — a city just outside Boise — with Martinez and three children riding in the open bed of the truck.
At some point during the ride, one of the passengers in the truck bed dropped something and tried to get Keeth’s attention to slow down. Instead of stopping, the vehicle suddenly accelerated — and Martinez was violently thrown from the truck.
Multiple 911 calls flooded in from witnesses reporting a man lying injured in the middle of the road. When officers arrived, they found Martinez completely non-responsive on the pavement. They immediately began CPR and were able to detect a faint pulse.
Paramedics rushed him to a nearby hospital, but Martinez did not survive.
Three Children Were in the Truck Bed Too
Perhaps the most disturbing part of this tragedy is that three young children were also riding in the back of that same pickup truck when the incident occurred. Police confirmed the children were not physically harmed, but witnessed the entire terrifying ordeal unfold right before their eyes.
Authorities have not revealed the relationship between Keeth, Martinez, and the three children.
“There Is No Excuse for Drunk Driving”
Investigators confirmed that Keeth had been drinking alcohol before getting behind the wheel that night.
Nampa Police Corporal Jeffrey Stark did not hold back in his statement:
“This needless death is the result of careless actions and driving under the influence of alcohol. There is no excuse for drunk driving. The consequences of this crash will last a lifetime for those involved, including three young kids, who were thankfully not physically harmed. Please drive sober!”
A man is dead. Three children are traumatized. And it all could have been prevented — if one person had simply chosen not to drink and drive.
The case remains under active investigation as police prepare additional charges against Keeth.
