Navajo leaders seek answers about uranium transport accident

Navajo Nation Council members convened May 27 with Energy Fuels and Navajo Nation Police to discuss an accident involving a uranium transport truck on May 6. The crash occurred about half a mile east of the intersection of U.S. 160 and State Route 98 in Shonto, after an SUV collided with the truck while attempting to pass another vehicle. Investigators confirmed no hazardous material leak, though concerns over highway safety, emergency response, and long-term oversight persist among Navajo leaders. The meeting addressed broader issues, including public safety, communication, and preparedness, as Navajo communities continue to face historical health impacts from uranium development. Council Delegate Curtis Yanito stressed Energy Fuels’ responsibility to ensure safety during hazardous material transport, advocating for investments in the Navajo Police Department and Department of Transportation to strengthen oversight. A previous emergency response plan, developed by Energy Fuels as part of the transport agreement, requires two occupants in each truck and includes in-cab cameras. Former Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety Director Michael Henderson noted that while the plan has worked in past incidents, concerns remain about its adequacy and transparency. The Navajo EPA maintains the safety plan, and Henderson confirmed no copy is publicly available. Two individuals involved in the collision were injured and hospitalized, though the uranium truck driver reportedly escaped injury. The accident reignited debates about uranium transport safety on Navajo land, with leaders demanding clearer accountability and improved infrastructure to protect communities along transport routes.