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Driver slams into deputy


Ruiz OK after multi-vehicle collision

Julye Keeble

Staff writer

Edwards County Sheriff Deputy and Uvalde resident Adrian Ruiz was injured in a crash Wednesday at 6:50 p.m. approximately three miles out of Rocksprings on Highway 377 South near RR 674.

Ruiz was expected to be discharged from the hospital in San Antonio on Friday afternoon.

Ruiz was conducting a traffic stop involving a black truck when an oncoming northbound motorist driving a red truck struck the deputy’s parked patrol unit, which then struck the black truck and Ruiz.

Edwards County Sheriff Pamela Elliott said at the time the driver of the red truck, identified as Carlos Antonio Alanis, stated he had fallen asleep at the wheel.

Ruiz was transported via helicopter and treated at San Antonio Military Medical Center for a fractured femur and a broken elbow. Alanis was also hospitalized.

Ruiz and his wife, Julie, have six children. He graduated from the Middle Rio Grande Law Enforcement Academy at Southwest Texas Junior College, and was president of the spring 2019 graduating class. He is a certified emergency medical technician who was employed with Uvalde EMS for approximately nine years and a member of the Uvalde Volunteer Fire Department for more than seven years.

Ruiz was recognized in January of 2016 by Uvalde City Council for being an outstanding and vital member of the community, specifically for descending from a bridge on Leona Road on May 28, 2015, with fellow firefighter Patrick Williams to rescue a woman trapped in her vehicle in rising waters. He became certified in swift water rescues in 2015.

Sgt. Ryan Glenn with the Texas Department of Public Safety said an investigation was ongoing and charges are expected to be filed against the 21-year old Alanis.

A GoFundMe account has been set up by Josilyn Fitzpatrick Peterson of Rocksprings. Text on the fundraising site reads “Deputy Ruiz and his wife Julie are the parents to six children. This GoFundMe account is to help with expenses so Deputy Ruiz and his family can focus on his healing.” The link is: www.gofundme.com/f/bb5gz-expenses-for-deputy-adrian-ruiz?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet.

Sheriff Pamela Eliott|Edwards CountyInvestigators inspect the site where Deputy Ruiz’s patrol unit rests on the side of the road after being struck by a red truck Wednesday evening.

Sheriff Pamela Eliott|Edwards CountyInvestigators inspect the site where Deputy Ruiz’s patrol unit rests on the side of the road after being struck by a red truck Wednesday evening.

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