By Crash News Writer 
Murrieta, CA (August 10, 2025) — A suspected DUI driver was arrested after a deadly two-vehicle collision Thursday afternoon, August 7, that claimed the life of an 88-year-old woman in Murrieta. The crash occurred at approximately 4:34 p.m. near the intersection of California Oaks Road and Skyview Ridge.
According to reports, investigators say 39-year-old Jaime Ruiz Jr. was driving a pickup truck westbound on California Oaks Road when he ran a red light and struck a sedan traveling through the intersection. The sedan’s driver, identified as Patricia Garner of Murrieta, was transported to Inland Valley Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead at 5:56 p.m. that evening. Police said Ruiz had a child in his vehicle during the crash. He was arrested on suspicion of DUI gross vehicular manslaughter, DUI causing injury, and child endangerment. Records show he was released Friday morning after posting $75,000 bond. The child was unharmed and placed into protective custody.
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PLEASE TAKE NOTICE
The details in this article are based on preliminary law enforcement statements and may change as new information becomes available.
- The investigation into this collision is ongoing.
- Updates regarding court proceedings or additional charges will be provided when available.
- Drivers are reminded that impaired driving can have devastating and irreversible consequences.
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or medical advice. All information is drawn from public records available at the time of publication and may change as investigations progress. Readers are encouraged to seek legal counsel if they or someone they know has been impacted by a similar incident. The publisher assumes no liability for actions taken or not taken based on this content. Learn more with our disclaimer.