On Friday, July 3, 2015, at approximately 9:51 a.m., Yuma County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report of a two-vehicle collision that occurred on Vaughn Avenue and Jupiter Street. Prior to the deputies’ arrival, information was received that the suspect vehicle had fled the scene and was seen driving recklessly in the area.
The suspect vehicle, described as a silver 2007 Ford Fusion, was located traveling northbound in the 900 block of Date Avenue by a deputy that was traveling southbound while searching for the suspect vehicle. The deputy attempted to turn his patrol truck around to conduct a traffic stop. However, he was unable to initiate a traffic stop due to the suspect vehicle continuing northbound on Date Avenue at a high rate of speed. The suspect failed to stop at the stop sign on Date Avenue and 8th Street and collided with a white 1996 Toyota RAV4 SUV that was traveling eastbound in the number two lane of west 8th Street. After colliding with the RAV4, the suspect vehicle then collided with a marked YCSO patrol truck that was stopped in the westbound left turn lane of 8th Street preparing to make a left turn onto Date Avenue.
As a result of the collision, the driver of RAV4 was ejected and pinned underneath the vehicle. The victim, identified as Ms. Maria Manriquez, 63, of Yuma, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The driver of the suspect vehicle, identified as Daniel Ruiz, 20, of Yuma, was transported to Yuma Regional Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. The suspect was released from YRMC, taken into custody and booked into the Yuma County Detention Center for 1st Degree Murder, Narcotics Drug Violation and Aggravated Assault. His bond was set at 1.5 million dollars. Drugs and alcohol appear to be a factor in this incident.
The case remains under investigation. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to please contact the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office at (928) 783-4427 or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous. You can also visit our website at www.yumacountysheriff.org to submit an anonymous tip.