Pregnant woman dies when accused drunk driver swerves into oncoming traffic, CA cops say

A 33-year-old pregnant woman died after California authorities said a suspected drunk driver cut into oncoming traffic and caused a head-on collision.

Deputies with the Hesperia Police Station and crew from the San Bernardino County Fire Department were sent around 11:40 p.m. on Jan 21 to a crash on Highway 395, according to a news release by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

Eddie Escobedo, 43, of Hesperia, was driving a black Ford Explorer north on the highway, deputies said.

Andrew Ruddy, 36, of Orange and his wife, Nicole Ruddy, were driving in a Toyota Corolla south on the highway, according to the release.

Ruddy was “35 weeks pregnant and sitting in the front passenger seat of the Corolla,” the release said.

Escobedo drove his SUV into oncoming traffic and hit the Corolla in a head-on collision, deputies said.

All three people involved in the crash were sent to a trauma center for their injuries, the release said.

Escobedo and Andrew Ruddy “sustained major injuries as a result of the crash,” deputies said. Nicole Ruddy and her unborn child were later pronounced dead.

Deputies said they were later able to determine that Escobedo was driving drunk during the crash. He was booked into the West Valley Detention Center.

He was charged with gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and is in custody on a $100,000 bond, deputies said.

Deputies ask anyone with information on the crash to call 760-947-1500.

Hesperia is about 80 miles northeast of Los Angeles.

This story was originally published January 25, 2023 at 11:44 AM with the headline "Pregnant woman dies when accused drunk driver swerves into oncoming traffic, CA cops say."