PASCO, Wash. – An 18-year-old teenager, Pedro Ruiz, faced Franklin County Superior Court today, charged with second-degree murder and vehicular homicide. Prosecutors allege this is his third DUI offense in less than two months.
During the arraignment, Ruiz entered a not guilty plea. The court considered whether to maintain his bail at $1 million. Prosecutors argued this amount is justified due to what they describe as a dangerous pattern of behavior, citing multiple DUI arrests in recent months.
The hearing experienced a delay when the judge recused herself due to a conflict of interest, knowing the victim herself. A commissioner took over the proceedings. The state emphasized Ruiz’s recent criminal record, including DUI and reckless driving charges in December, and another DUI arrest in Othello. Prosecutors noted that these charges were resolved in early February, with Ruiz sentenced to several driving conditions just a day before the fatal crash.
“He was also told, no alcohol, don’t use, possess or consume alcohol, marijuana or prescribed drugs and don’t drive without a valid license and insurance. So the defendant went out the very next day, February 6th, he drove with a suspended license, he eluded the police, he was drunk and killed somebody,” the prosecutors said.
Ruiz’s defense requested a reduction in bail to $250,000, arguing that he has no prior felonies, is currently enrolled in high school and has family support for transportation. However, the judge decided to leave the bail at $1 million, citing Ruiz’s history of not adhering to court orders.
The judge ruled that if Ruiz posts bail, he will be required to wear a SCRAM alcohol monitoring device and could face additional driving restrictions. Blood alcohol results are not yet available for this case. Prosecutors plan to continue discussing conditions of release at the next court date, scheduled for March 3.
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