Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma

Passenger killed in drunk-driving accident on Rice Canyon Road; driver likely to face charges

A man who was riding as a passenger in a vehicle was fatally injured in an accident over the weekend on Rice Canyon Road in Fallbrook.

According to California Highway Patrol public information officer Jim Bettencourt, sometime either Sat., Nov. 16 or early Sun., Nov. 17, Gregorio Ruiz, 46, of Rainbow was driving a 1989 Toyota pickup northbound on Rice Canyon Road at an unknown speed when, for unknown reasons, the Toyota left the roadway and rolled down a dirt hill. The vehicle rolled over onto its roof and ended up at the bottom of an embankment that borders the west edge of the roadway.

"CHP dispatch received the call of a vehicle over the side at 7:34 a.m. on Sun., Nov. 17," said Bettencourt. "Upon arrival, medical personnel located the driver (Ruiz) pinned within the overturned vehicle and the unrestrained right front passenger, a male Hispanic, age 52, also of Rainbow, was found deceased inside the cab of the truck."

Bettencourt said Ruiz was transported to Palomar Hospital and is being treated for his injuries.

"Alcohol is a suspected factor in the collision and Ruiz will be facing charges in the death of his passenger," said Bettencourt. "Rice Canyon Road was closed for approximately 5 hours to investigate the collision and retrieve the vehicle from the embankment."

The identity of the man that was killed is being withheld pending notification of next of kin from the San Diego County Medical Examiners Office.

Bettencourt said the collision remains under investigation.

 

Reader Comments(0)