Ana Isabel Ruiz Killed in Auto Accident on SH 349 in Midland County, TX
Midland County, TX — December 22, 2022, 35-year-old Ana Isabel Ruiz died in an auto accident on State Highway 349 in Midland County.
Authorities say the incident happened Thursday at the intersection of Highway 349 and County Road 130. Preliminary investigation suggests Ruiz was traveling east on CR 130 when she allegedly disregarded a stop sign at the highway. After entering its lanes she was hit by a southbound vehicle.
Ruiz, allegedly not wearing a seat belt, was pronounced dead at a Midland hospital. No other injuries were reported.
The investigation continues. No further information is currently available.
Something I often caution people about is taking preliminary news releases as the gospel truth of an accident. Police offer them a handful of rough details about where and when the crash happened, but there's virtually no chance enough work has been done to understand how and why it did.
Some may not think there's much to investigate if the victim ran a stop sign as reports allege, but what if there's more to the story? What if her vehicle couldn't stop--jammed brakes, for instance, or lost traction on slick roads? I even encountered a West Texas crash not long ago where someone was blamed for running a stop sign, only for it to later come out that road crews took the signs down that day. How can someone disregard a sign that isn't even there?
Am I saying things have to be more complicated than a momentary but costly mistake? Not necessarily. Could they be, though? Absolutely, and if so then it's important to find that out. A woman lost her life and that's more than enough reason to investigate this matter fully. Her loved ones deserve no less than all the facts.
