Police: Ruiz drank before fatal crash

SANTA FE, N.M. - Santa Fe police said the man charged with vehicular homicide in Friday night's crash that killed two young sisters has admitted that he was drinking.

James Ruiz, 34, was in Santa Fe Magistrate Court Monday afternoon where Judge Sandy Miera read the charges against him including two counts of vehicular homicide and driving on a revoked or suspended license.

He's accused of causing a five-car crash on Cerrillos Road in Santa Fe that killed sisters Deshauna Peshlakai, 17, and Del Peshlakai, 19, of Newcomb.

Police said Ruiz was driving a Ford F-250 pickup truck that was owned by Gilbert Mendoza, one of the two passengers with him that night.

The other passenger is a woman who was still in the hospital Monday.

Santa Fe Police Chief Aric Wheeler said the passengers could also be charged.

Investigators said Ruiz slammed the truck into the back of the Peshlakai family's car killing the two sisters who were in the backseat and injuring their parents.

The criminal complaint states that Ruiz told an officer at the scene of the crash that he'd consumed six or seven beers between 1 o'clock that afternoon and half an hour before the crash.

The spot of the crash is now marked with balloons, flowers and rocks with messages to the sisters.

"We did shut down Cerrillos Road for probably a little over an hour [Sunday] to allow the family an opportunity to grieve, to spend some time together and just be together at the site of their family member, loved ones last minutes," Wheeler said.

Ruiz's stepmother, Mary Ann, spoke before the courtroom and judge Monday.  She admitted Ruiz has a big problem and said he has already been to rehab twice.

She also tearfully apologized to the victims' family in court.

A representative from the Peshlakai family also spoke and said the death of the sisters is a tragedy for the family and the Navajo Nation.

She asked the judge to give Ruiz the highest bond possible, and his bond was set by the judge at $2 million cash-only.

A blood test was taken from Ruiz after the crash; the test results are pending.

In another twist the Santa Fe New Mexican reported Ruiz's father, Joe, is the former state insurance regulator who is serving four years in prison on corruption charges.