New Angel
Gary Murphy dies following injury in pedestrian accident

Gary Murphy accepts flowers from Gallup's angel in one of the many photos by Margo Manareze-Wagner. Murphy was the subject of "Gary and the Angels," a documentary film on fetal alcohol syndrome. He died after being struck by a vehicle in Gallup. [Courtesy Photo]

By Leslie Wood
Staff Writer

GALLUP — A 30-year-old Gallup man whose face adorned local billboards that warned of the lasting affects of fetal alcohol syndrome, has died.

An employee for the Maricopa County Coroner's Office confirmed 30-year-old Garrison "Gary" Murphy died on Monday; however, the coroner has yet to begin an autopsy to determine his official cause of death. Results are expected within days.

Murphy was transported by air to a Phoenix hospital for treatment of injuries he sustained when he was struck by a vehicle that was traveling along U.S. Hwy. 491 on Feb. 6.

Erin Toadlena-Pablo, a spokeswoman for the Gallup Police Department, said Murphy broke a leg and several ribs as a result of the crash that occurred during rush hour traffic at the intersection of Maloney Avenue and U.S. Hwy. 491.

Murphy allegedly walked into oncoming traffic despite a red pedestrian crossing light that warned him not to walk into the crosswalk.

Little information was released about what caused Murphy's condition to deteriorate. Reports indicate he may have suffered from a brain hemorrhage while receiving medical treatment.

Murphy, a McKinley County native with fetal alcohol syndrome, is the subject of city billboards that warn of the dangers of FAS. He was also featured in a documentary on the same topic entitled "Gary and the Angels." FAS is caused when a mother consumes alcohol while pregnant. FAS can cause long-lasting emotional and behavioral problems in a person with the diagnosis.

Margo Manaraze Wagner, Murphy's friend who produced a documentary about his life, would like to host a public memorial service in the near future to remember Murphy.

"He was the sweetest, most innocent friend to me," Manaraze Wagner said. " ... He really gave a lot. He let his story be filmed."