Alcohol A Factor In I-695 Crash On Patapsco Bridge: Police

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — Charges are pending against an Elkridge man accused of driving under the influence. Police said he caused a four-car crash Wednesday night on the bridge over the Patapsco River, from which he then jumped and injured himself.

Rene Ruiz, 33, whose last listed address was in the 6700 block of Pirch Way in Elkridge, has been taken into custody, police reported Thursday afternoon.

Ruiz was allegedly speeding on the shoulder of I-695 east in a gray BMW Wednesday night when he lost control of his car and crashed into three other vehicles while crossing the bridge over the Patapsco River between Lansdowne and Linthicum shortly after 7 p.m.

Then Ruiz got out of his vehicle and jumped from the bridge about 20 feet into shallow water, police said, citing witnesses at the scene who saw what transpired.

First responders found Ruiz in the water and took him by ambulance to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center for treatment of his injuries, police said.

Several others involved in the crash were also hospitalized for treatment of potential injuries, according to officials.

While authorities cleared the scene, I-695 was closed in the area for approximately 30 minutes.

Police said that once he was released from shock trauma, Ruiz was arrested; and as of Thursday afternoon, charges were pending.

While the cause of the crash remains under investigation, police said that alcohol was believed to be a factor.

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