Driver killed after head-on crash with Harris County deputy

HOUSTON - A driver has died after a head-on crash involving a Harris County sheriff's deputy that sent them both to the hospital.

According to Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, it happened in the 12300 block of Jones Road in northwest Harris County just after 10 p.m.

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Deputy O. Ruiz was in a marked Harris County Sheriff's Office patrol unit heading back to the station for the end of his shift. HCSO says he was traveling northbound on Jones Rd at the same time that a silver Nissan Altima was traveling southbound on Jones Rd.

According to HCSO, as Dep. Ruiz began passing through the intersection of Jones and Millridge North Drive, the driver of the Altima went into the intersection and attempted to make a left turn.

Sheriff Gonzalez said earlier that the driver was trying to make an "unprotected left turn from a flashing yellow light."

Dep. Ruiz’s patrol vehicle then crashed into the Altima head on.

Dep. Ruiz, 31, was conscious and breathing when he was transported to the hospital. He has since been released.

When EMS first arrived, they performed CPR on the driver of the Altima, identified as Patrick Garza. They were able to get a pulse on him and transported him to the hospital.

Garza later died from his injuries.

HCSO said there were no obvious signs of intoxication at the crash site, but it has since been revealed that Garza was intoxicated at the time of the crash.

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The crash investigation remains underway by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Vehicular Crimes Division.