El Paso, Texas – A tragic incident unfolded last week in East El Paso resulting in the death of Isidro Ruiz Jr., 42, who was fatally struck at a traffic intersection. The driver responsible for the crash, Enrique Joel Pena, 35, now faces a murder charge due to suspected drunk driving. Pena, a two-time convicted driver while intoxicated, was arrested by the El Paso Police Department following the collision on Thursday, March 28th.
According to officials, Pena was driving a 2020 Nissan Rogue south on George Dieter Drive when he rear-ended Ruiz’s 2000 Chevrolet Metro at the intersection. The impact tragically led to Ruiz’s death at the scene, while Pena sustained minor injuries. Police investigations revealed that Pena was allegedly intoxicated at the time of the crash, leading to his murder charge as a third DWI offense can be considered a felony in Texas.
Pena, a Lower Valley resident, is currently held at the El Paso County Jail on a $650,000 bond. Despite having two previous DWI arrests in 2012 and 2014, he has yet to post bail. Records indicate that Pena received probation sentences for both prior offenses. Ruiz’s death marks the 14th traffic-related fatality of the year, as officials report a decrease in such incidents compared to the same period last year.
The incident serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of driving under the influence and the devastating consequences it can have on innocent lives. It also highlights the importance of strict enforcement of laws against drunk driving to prevent further tragedies in the community. The El Paso Police Department continues to urge drivers to prioritize safety and responsibility on the road to avoid such heartbreaking incidents.