Long Beach, CA (May 14, 2025) — Authorities have identified Laura Sanchez Ruiz, a 46-year-old woman from Pico Rivera, as the victim in a tragic multi-vehicle crash Monday night on the Artesia (91) Freeway near Long Beach, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Incident Details: The fatal crash occurred at approximately 10:29 p.m. on May 12 along the eastbound lanes of the 91 Freeway, just east of Cherry Avenue. Ruiz was driving a Scion XD when the vehicle reportedly caught fire and became disabled in traffic, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). After exiting the vehicle, Ruiz was standing outside when a Toyota Camry swerved in an attempt to avoid the disabled car. The Camry sideswiped the Scion, which in turn struck Ruiz, launching her into the westbound lanes.
CHP officials said multiple vehicles then struck Ruiz, and she was pronounced dead at the scene. The medical examiner listed her cause of death as multiple blunt force injuries.
Investigation and Legal Considerations: The CHP is still investigating the full sequence of events, including what caused the initial vehicle fire and whether visibility, speed, or driver reaction time contributed to the chain-reaction crash.
Depending on the findings, Ruiz’s family may still have legal grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim to compensate for the loss of companionship, earnings, and funeral costs.
Source: Patch – Long Beach