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Man charged with intoxication manslaughter in Weber crash

Garza-Gonzalez Charter School teacher was victim
Ricky Luna
Juan Jesus Ruiz
Posted at 12:16 AM, Oct 04, 2020
and last updated 2020-10-05 15:30:16-04

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A 49-year-old man has been charged with intoxication manslaughter in connection with a Saturday evening rollover accident that killed an elementary school teacher driving near the intersection of Weber and Holly.

Juan Jesus Ruiz was arrested and has been charged in connection with the accident. The crash resulted in the death of Ricky Luna, 40, a teacher at the Dr. M.L. Garza-Gonzalez Charter School, who was ejected from his vehicle.

Luna, 41, taught third, fourth and fifth grade mathematics at the school. He also was a mathematics GED teacher at the Education Service Center in downtown Corpus Christi.

"He was such a special teacher," said Dee Dee Bernal, the charter school's superintendent who said she had known him since he was 5 years old. "He was such a happy young man."

Bernal said the school would have counselors in place at the school on Monday to help students and staff cope with their grief.

Corpus Christi Police Department Lt. Gabe Garcia said the accident occurred approximately 8:15 p.m. Saturday when a person was ejected from a Jeep that rolled over in a two-vehicle accident.