Wednesday, 12 August 2026, 11:49
A Bellflower man is facing murder charges after a suspected DUI crash in Temecula killed a Murrieta man and injured two others. The Riverside County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene Friday evening, July 24, near the city's wine country. The Sheriff's Office described the incident as a "major injury traffic collision" in a news release.
The collision occurred around 6:51 p.m. at the intersection of Rancho California Road and Riesling Court, an area close to Temecula's wine region. Deputies found three heavily damaged vehicles and a pedestrian who was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim was later identified as 39-year-old David Heard of Murrieta. The Riverside County Sheriff's Office - Coroner confirmed the victim's identity.
Family members say Heard, a devoted wildland firefighter and father of two, had pulled over to the side of the road to help a vehicle. Investigators believe Ruiz then drove into him, killing Heard on the side of the road.
Heard was also a beloved brother and son, remembered for his devotion to both his family and his community.
The Southwest Station's Traffic Team handled the investigation. Investigators determined that one driver, Jonathan Ruiz of Bellflower, was allegedly under the influence of alcohol. Ruiz was arrested and booked on suspicion of second-degree murder and driving under the influence causing injury. He is being held at the Cois M. Byrd Detention Center.
The Sheriff's Office stated, "Ruiz was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Cois M. Byrd Detention Center for murder and driving under the influence causing injury."
The crash has shaken the local community. Two passengers in one of the involved vehicles were hospitalized with what deputies described as stable injuries. Friends and family have started a GoFundMe campaign titled 'Support for Elsie Heard After Tragic Loss' to aid the Heard family. The campaign can be found by searching for the keywords 'Support for Elsie Heard After Tragic Loss' on GoFundMe. The campaign aims to support Heard's wife and their two children.
Temecula, known for its wine country and family-friendly neighborhoods, rarely sees such violent incidents. The intersection of Rancho California Road and Riesling Court is a busy area, and the event has raised concerns about DUI enforcement in the region.
Jonathan Ruiz appeared in a Riverside County courtroom on Wednesday to face a judge for the first time. Prosecutors formally charged him with murder and driving under the influence. He remains jailed on a $1 million bond.
During the hearing, Heard's family choked back tears and appeared in agony as they faced the man accused of killing him.
Heard's family attended the hearing, including his mother, Cherrilyn Heard, who said, "I had to come here because I wanted to look at this man. I wanted to look at this empty man that knew better. He just knew better than to be drinking and driving, and it cost my son his life. My son was just at the back of his car just to help someone else who was having a problem, and he lost his life to this drunk driver."
Heard's sister-in-law, Amy Williams, said the family has seen the impact he had beyond his immediate relatives. "After this horrible tragedy, we really saw he was bigger than himself. His heart was bigger than his own huge body. We didn't even know the amount of impact that he had on, not just us as his family, but the entire community. So we're devastated," Williams said.
Second-degree murder charges in DUI cases are not uncommon in California when a driver shows a conscious disregard for life, such as prior DUI convictions or extreme intoxication. The Riverside County District Attorney has reviewed the case and filed formal charges. The Sheriff's Office continues to investigate. In the news release, the Sheriff's Office stated, "This is an ongoing investigation, and no further details will be released at this time."
The arrest of Jonathan Ruiz sends a strong message about the consequences of driving under the influence. The community mourns the loss of David Heard and hopes for a thorough investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Deputy Samuel Strizver at 951-696-3000.
The Riverside County Sheriff's Office can also be reached at 951-776-1099 with information about the crash.
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