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Moises “Moy” Ruiz

Age : 20

Gender : Male

Race : Latino/a/e

Date : 05/23/2021

Location : 12th Street and Oak Park Avenue

City : Des Moines

County : Polk

State : Iowa

Agency : Polk County Sheriff's Office

Officer(s) :Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Vehicle

Event : Driver killed by police chase crash

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

REASON FOR CHASE: Took off from traffic stop for speeding
NARRATIVE:
On 05/23/2021, 20-year-old Moises “Moy” Ruiz of Des Moines and his passenger, 22-year-old Tatiana Munguia, were killed when Ruiz's Dodge Charger crashed into a wooded area and caught fire after fleeing a Polk County Sheriff's Office traffic stop in Des Moines.
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At approximately 1:17 p.m., a Polk County Sheriff's deputy stopped the Charger in the 4300 block of Northwest Morningstar Drive after Ruiz was observed traveling 85 mph in a 40-mph zone. As the deputy approached, Ruiz drove away at high speed and the deputy pursued.
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The deputy lost sight of the Charger almost immediately because of its speed and police reported that the pursuit was discontinued. Less than a mile away, Ruiz continued through the area of 12th Street and Euclid Avenue at extreme speed before losing control near 12th Street and Oak Park Avenue.
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The Charger went airborne, traveled into a wooded area and struck multiple trees before catching fire. The crash scattered vehicle debris across a large area, with a nearby resident reporting that parts of the car landed in his yard approximately 100 yards away.
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The fire prevented immediate rescue efforts. After firefighters extinguished the flames, Ruiz and Munguia were found dead inside the vehicle.
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Ruiz was born in Chicago on 07/16/2000 and spent part of his childhood in Mexico before his family settled in Des Moines, where he attended Capitol View Elementary, Hoyt Middle School and East High School. Known to his family and friends as “Moy,” he loved horses, fishing, swimming and spending time with his family. He was the father of a young daughter.
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Friends and relatives gathered at the crash site after the deaths. Ruiz's best friend described the loss of the 20-year-old as particularly difficult because they had expected to grow older together.
OFFICER BACKGROUND:
The Polk County Sheriff's deputy who initiated the traffic stop and pursuit has not been publicly identified.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.kcci.com/article/des-moines-iowa-police-identify-2-killed-in-fiery-weekend-crash/36522561
https://www.radioiowa.com/2021/05/25/two-die-in-fiery-crash-after-speeding-away-from-traffic-stop/
https://www.wowt.com/2021/05/25/police-2-killed-in-crash-after-fleeing-iowa-traffic-stop/
https://www.merlehayfuneralhome.com/post/moises-moy-ruiz