Community Mourns 88-Year-Old Murrieta Woman Killed In Suspected DUI Crash

MURRIETA, CA — A driver suspected of getting behind the wheel while drunk and then killing an 88-year-old Murrieta woman in a crash, remained out of custody on Monday.

Jaime Ruiz Jr., 39, also of Murrieta, was released Friday from county jail after posting a $75,000 bail bond, according to jail records.

Murrieta police suspect him of causing a crash that led to the death of Patricia Garner.

At about 4:35 p.m., Aug. 7, officers were called to the intersection of California Oaks Road and Skyview Ridge in Murrieta regarding a crash between a truck and a car.

The car's driver, later identified as Garner, was trapped inside her vehicle.

She was pulled from the wreckage by Murrieta first responders and sent to Southwest Healthcare Inland Valley Hospital in Wildomar, where she was pronounced dead less than 90 minutes after the crash.

The truck driver, identified by police as Ruiz, remained at the crash scene.

A preliminary investigation by the Murrieta Police Department showed Ruiz was traveling west on California Oaks Road when he entered the Skyview Ridge intersection and collided with Garner's car.

According to the agency, he "exhibited signs and symptoms of being under the influence of alcohol."

Ruiz also had a child in the vehicle with him.

He was arrested at the crash scene on suspicion of DUI causing injury, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and child endangerment.

As of Monday morning, Ruiz had not been formally charged.

Garner's family members have shared on social media that she was adored.

"She loved her family so much and cherished her children and grandchildren," one post read. "She spent all her time with her grandkids, and they were the lights of her eyes. ... She was so awesome. We were so lucky to have her. Thank you to everyone on the scene — the police and first responders and bystanders who helped."

The crash investigation is ongoing, and traffic investigators with Murrieta PD want to speak with anyone who witnessed the incident. Anyone with information related to the crash who has not been contacted by Murrieta police is asked to contact Murrieta Police Traffic Investigator Gonzalez at 951-461-6899 or dgonzalez@murrietaca.gov, or Traffic Bureau Sgt. Zach Bradley at 951-461-6388 or zbradley@murrietaca.gov.