New Smyrna Beach, FL (May 31, 2025) – Authorities have made an arrest following a devastating hit-and-run crash that left one woman dead and her husband seriously injured near 4 North Causeway earlier this year.

According to reports, Mark J. Ruth of New Smyrna Beach was taken into custody after police determined he was driving westbound on North Causeway when he veered off the roadway onto the sidewalk. Ruth struck two adult pedestrians walking westbound. The female pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene, while the male pedestrian suffered serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Witnesses described the horrific impact, and New Smyrna Beach Police confirmed that Ruth fled the scene. He now faces charges including vehicular homicide, reckless driving causing serious bodily injury, leaving the scene of a crash, and possession of a controlled substance. Ruth is currently being held without bond at the Volusia County Branch Jail.

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PLEASE TAKE NOTICE

The information in this article is based on initial reports from local authorities and may be subject to updates as investigations continue.

• The identities of those involved in the incident have not been released pending official confirmation and notification of next of kin.
• Further details about the accident, including toxicology results and potential charges, will be shared as they become available.
• Road closures and traffic updates related to the accident scene can be found by checking with local authorities or traffic monitoring services.

The content of this news story is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or medical advice. All information is based on public reports at the time of publication, and details may change as investigations progress. Readers are encouraged to seek legal counsel if they or someone they know have been involved in a similar incident. The publisher assumes no liability for actions taken or not taken based on the information provided in this article. Learn more with our disclaimer.