Jason and Nathan Abeyta, two beloved members of the Santa Fe Indian School community, tragically passed away in a car accident on Thursday Morning.
The Abeyta siblings were deeply involved in mentoring and supporting students. Their loss has profoundly impacted the school and the wider community.
Jason, 47, was the longtime boys’ basketball coach, and Nathan, 42, was the school’s assistant athletic director.
The Rio Arriba County Sheriff’s Office confirmed they were driving in Rio Arriba County when the tragic incident occurred at U.S. 84 and N.M. 554 near Abiquiú.
Oliver Torres, the head softball coach at Santa Fe Indian School and a close friend of the Abeyta brothers, expressed that they were going fishing.
They left their homes in Okhay Owingeh early to enjoy the school’s first day of spring break.
19-year-old Isaac Madrid, who was driving a Chevrolet Camaro traveling south on N.M. 84, passed away in an accident alongside Jason and Nathan.
His Chevrolet collided head-on with the Jeep Wrangler driven by Jason Abeyta. The cause of the tragic accident remains under investigation.
Their untimely passing saddened the whole community. On Thursday afternoon, Santa Fe Indian School emailed the school community to inform their passing.
Our beloved brothers, Jason Abeyta, our High School Attendance Counselor, and Nathan Abeyta, our Athletics Assistant, have unexpectedly passed away today.
Santa Fe Indian School
Jason And Nathan Abeyta’s Family Mourns The Tragic Loss
The Santa Fe Indian School (SFIS) community and the broader New Mexico region are in mourning following the heartbreaking loss of Jason and Nathan Abeyta.
Their parents, along with family, friends, and students, are grappling with the unimaginable tragedy of losing both sons.
Jason and Nathan Abeyta were deeply respected figures at Santa Fe Indian School.
Although the first face visitors would see was Jason when they entered the school as the attendance counselor, Nathan was driven to improve athletics.
Jason led the Braves to the Class 3A semifinals in four of his last six seasons and played for the 3A state championship in 2019.
They dedicated their lives to mentoring young students and promoting Native American culture, education, and athletics.
Jason was a passionate coach who inspired student-athletes on and off the field. His leadership extended beyond sports, as he emphasized discipline, teamwork, and cultural pride.
On the other hand, Nathan, serving in a directorial role, played a key part in school administration, program development, and student advocacy.
His commitment to education and community empowerment left a lasting impact.
The sudden passing of both brothers has sent shockwaves through their family and the SFIS community. Their parents, whose names have not been publicly released, are enduring an unfathomable grief.
The Abeyta brothers are SFIS graduates, and their children also graduated from the same school.
Leaders, school officials, and former students have expressed an outpouring of support, sharing memories of the Abeyta siblings’ kindness, mentorship, and constant dedication to Native youth.
Jason and Nathan Abeyta’s parents will hold a memorial service in the coming days for close friends and extended family members. Their brothers, Justin and Joshua Abeyta, organized a collection of memories.
In the meantime, community members have begun organizing tributes, including candlelight vigils and fundraisers to support the grieving family.
As the family navigates this profound loss, friends and community members are encouraged to offer support through prayers, donations, or simply by sharing stories of how Jason and Nathan impacted their lives.
Counseling services have also been made available for students and staff at Santa Fe Indian School.
They were great guys, and their roles were perfect at Santa Fe Indian. Rest In Peace, Nathan and Jason Abeyta.
SFIS students/staff and families, my heart goes out to everyone in this tragedy. My heart aches for you all. My prayers go out to the Abeyta Family. Once a Brave…always a Brave. We are here for you! Mr.Nathan, thank you for always being one of Hannah’s biggest fans, for words of encouragement and just yelling her name from afar. Mr.Jason thanks for keeping my daughter in check lol. And I’m sorry for giving you a hard time when she was excused/absent lol. May you both Rest In Peace forever.
Alexandria Martinez
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Nathan Abeyta had been at the school in multiple capacities for over 15 years, and Jason Abeyta had been there for nearly a decade.
- They were deeply rooted in their culture, kind to everyone, and always loved serving and caring for others.
