The Peshlakai family was always the last one to leave the gym after a basketball game.

But on Friday night, after Newcomb High School lost to Santa Fe Indian School 64-43 in the opening round of the Class AAA girls state basketball tournament, Delacey Peshlakai said her parents — Darlene and David Peshlakai of Naschitti, N.M. — "just wanted to get on the road."

On their way out of town, James Ruiz, 34, of Albuquerque, allegedly barreled into the back of their white Chevrolet Malibu as he traveled southwest on Cerrillos Road near the Santa Fe Auto Park just before 9 p.m.

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The crash triggered a "domino effect," said Santa Fe Police Chief Aric Wheeler, that ultimately involved three other cars.

Deshauna Peshlakai, 17, and her sister Del Lynn Peshlakai, 19, were riding in the back seat of their parents' car. Deshauna was pronounced dead on the scene, and Del Lynn died from injuries early Saturday morning at Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center. Del Lynn would have turned 20 today.

Darlene Peshlakai is in stable condition at the hospital, but her husband remains in critical condition. A passenger in Ruiz's truck is also in stable condition.

Wheeler said officers believe alcohol was a factor in the crash.

Deshauna, who broke her ankle at the beginning of the school year, was still on the injured list and didn't play in the game. But the family was in town to support Newcomb High School, in a remote area about 60 miles north of Gallup.

The Peshlakais live for basketball, said sister Danell. All seven siblings learned to play at a young age, and all competed with the Newcomb High School team. In fact, Danell said, the five sisters recently played together in the Gathering of Nations basketball tournament.

"We're a basketball family," she said.

"They were very, very special," she said of her sisters Deshauna and Del Lynn. "They were our baby sisters, but them leaving us now, it's like they're teaching us a hard lesson. I'm learning from my little sisters. They were always full of smiles and happiness."

"They were outgoing and very friendly," added Virginia Garcia, the girls' aunt.

Santa Fe Indian School girls basketball coach Cindy Roybal immediately came to the family's aid, visiting the hospital and arranging hotel rooms for the family.

Roybal, who lost a niece in an automobile accident four years ago, said, "You can't fathom a loss like this. Here are young ladies full of life, just maturing into young females and their lives are cut short."

At half-time Saturday evening of the game between Santa Fe Indian School and Thoreau High School in the opening round of the boys Class AAA state basketball tournament, the family thanked the community for the outpouring of support and condolences.

"We are strangers to Santa Fe and the school has provided a lot of support," Danell said.

Delacey's boyfriend, Alonzo Begay, said a prayer in Navajo, asking God for forgiveness and to bless the mind, soul and bodies of the girls.

The Indian School raised $2,500 in donations Saturday evening to help the family with expenses. And Roybal said the Lady Braves will wear a No. 14 patch on their jerseys for the rest of the state tournament in honor of Deshauna.

Mayor David Coss released a statement Saturday expressing condolences to the family.

"I want to express my deep sorrow regarding the traffic accident on Cerrillos Road that took the life of two young women," Coss said. "The City of Santa Fe will assist the family in this tragedy and we are contacting appropriate officials from the affected communities. We will also see to the well-being of our first responders in this accident and thank them for their skill and compassion."

Ruiz is in custody, charged with two counts of vehicular homicide and one count of driving while his license was suspended or revoked. According to online court records, Ruiz has multiple DWI offenses and spent 60 days in a rehabilitation program in California in 2008. Jury selection was set to begin Wednesday in a 2008 drunken-driving case.

"Again we come back to drunk driving," Roybal said. "It hurts too many people."

Contact Ana Maria Trujillo at 986-3084 or atrujillo@sfnewmexican.com.