NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – A man was arrested Thursday in a crash that killed a woman on North Causeway bridge in New Smyrna Beach, according to the police department.
Mark Ruth faces multiple charges.
New Smyrna Beach police said that a woman and her husband were walking on the sidewalk on the bridge on Jan. 25 when they were struck by a vehicle driven by Ruth.
The woman was pronounced dead at the scene while her husband was taken to the hospital.
“I’m glad they finally caught the guy and got justice for this young lady and her family,” said resident Harlan Jetty.
“These things take a while. On scene, we secured a search warrant to do a blood draw. But it takes time to read the results of that search warrant, as well as conduct search warrants on the vehicle, the phone, and collect all that data,” said New Smyrna Beach Police Chief Chris Kirk. ”
Ruth faces charges of vehicular homicide, reckless driving causing serious bodily injury, leaving the scene of a crash and possession of a controlled substance.
“It’s life or death. You have got to drive safe. There are people driving with kids in their cars. I just wish people would slow down,” said Kirk.
Ruth was booked into the Volusia County jail and posted bond Friday night.