Suspected drunk driver kills woman and unborn child in Hesperia

Eddie Escobedo, 43, was suspected of being intoxicated when he caused a head-on collision in Hesperia, which killed a woman and her unborn baby, sheriff’s officials said.
Eddie Escobedo, 43, was suspected of being intoxicated when he caused a head-on collision in Hesperia, which killed a woman and her unborn baby, sheriff’s officials said.

A driver in Hesperia was suspected of being intoxicated when he crashed into a family, killing a woman and her unborn child and injuring the father, authorities said.

The Hesperia Sheriff’s Station said at approximately 11:40 p.m. on Saturday, deputies and San Bernardino County Fire personnel responded to a traffic collision on Highway 395.

Sheriff’s officials stated that 43-year-old Eddie Escobedo of Hesperia was driving a black 2020 Ford Explorer north on Hwy. 395, north of Poplar Street.

Also, Andrew Ruddy, 36, of Orange, was driving a 2018 Toyota Corolla south on Hwy. 395, north of Poplar Street. His wife, 33-year-old Nicole Ruddy, was 35 weeks pregnant and sitting in the front passenger seat of the Corolla.

Sheriff’s investigators determined that while traveling north on Hwy. 395, Escobedo drove the Explorer into oncoming lanes of traffic and slammed head-on with the Corolla.

After the collision, Escobedo was identified and contacted in the driver seat of the Explorer.

Andrew and Nicole Ruddy, and Escobedo, were transported to regional trauma centers by the fire department.

As a result of the crash, Andrew Ruddy and Escobedo sustained major injuries. Despite life-saving measures, Nicole Ruddy and her unborn child were later pronounced deceased.

During the investigation, deputies determined that during the collision, Escobedo was under the influence of alcohol and over the California legal limit.

Escobedo was treated for his injuries and booked at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, sheriff’s officials reported.

A portion of Hwy. 395 between Poplar Street and Main Street was closed while deputies processed the scene.

Escobedo remains in custody, with bail set at $100,000. He is scheduled to appear Tuesday in Rancho Cucamonga Superior Court, booking records show.

Witnesses, or anyone with information about the collision, are asked by the Sheriff's Department to contact the Hesperia Sheriff's Station at 760-947-1500. Callers wishing to remain anonymous should contact the We-Tip Hotline at 800-78-CRIME (27463) or wetip.com.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Suspected drunk driver kills woman and unborn child in Hesperia