Victim identified in I-15 crash
By: North County Times | ∞
BONSALL ---- A woman killed in a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 15 near Bonsall was identified by the county medical examiner's office Saturday as a registered nurse from Las Vegas.
Darlene M. Ruffer, 56, may have been falling asleep when she began swerving in the northbound lanes of the freeway near Champagne Boulevard at about 8:20 p.m. Friday, said Sgt. Scott Payson of the California Highway Patrol.
A second driver spotted Ruffer swerving and attempted to pass her, Payson said.
"(Ruffer) weaved into his lane and the vehicles collided," causing her Infiniti G35 to overturn, the sergeant said. Ruffer was not wearing a seat belt and was thrown from the vehicle, he said.
A friend of Ruffer was asleep in the back seat and sustained minor injuries in the crash, Payson said. The friend, who was wearing a seat belt, was taken to Palomar Medical Center in Escondido for treatment, authorities said.
The driver of the second vehicle was not injured, Payson said.
Ruffer is survived by her son, who lives in Arizona, a medical examiner's investigator said.
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Brandon wrote on Jun 3, 2007 9:11 AM:I know the person who was killed, and she was an amazing, loving, caring woman, who was my mom's best friend, and as close as someone can be to your family without actually being family.... Who am I kidding, she was family! This is a horrible tragedy, and will be very difficult to get over, Just SAD VERY, VERY, VERY SAD... We love you, and miss you like you would not believe.... Thank you for being such a great friend to my mother, and such an awesome Gramere to my nephew.... You'll forever be in our hearts.
Randy wrote on Jun 5, 2007 7:44 PM:Darlene, you will be in my heart and in my thoughts for the rest of my life! Thank you for being such a great friend!
JSten wrote on Jun 6, 2007 1:48 PM:It is truly sad to learn of another death on our freeway. I wonder about the logic of seeing someone ahead and attempting to pass. This really indicates a lack of reason on the part of the other driver, who is lucky to be alive. Also: Buckle Up!
Vicki wrote on Jun 19, 2007 10:19 PM:It is hard...so very hard to lose your best friend. Darlene shared all my deepest thoughts. I miss you my "seester" Everyone, please do not end up losing your best friend like me....be safe, be careful....tell everyone you love how much you care...like there is no tomorrow.
Dave wrote on Jun 29, 2007 4:02 PM:Darlene was also my friend and co-worker. We laughed often and offered each other advice and support. Her life ended far too soon. If only she could have seen in herself what the rest of us saw. I pray her family knew what they really lost when she left us.
Craig wrote on Jun 9, 2008 5:47 AM:Darlene was my friend. Her last email to me was signed "your friend forever". I will miss her as long as I live. If anyone reads this and knows where her grave is please email me and let me know. I would like to visit her one day.
Craig N
Greg wrote on Jul 28, 2008 9:08 PM:Darlene was married to my uncle, Jim ..., many years ago. I haven't seen her since the 1970s and am very sad to hear that she died so tragically. I'm sorry, Christopher. I have nice memories of your mother.
Brandon wrote on Aug 17, 2008 5:32 PM:Craig, Darlene does not have a grave site, she was cremated. Darlene is now and will forever be on vacation in the Bahamas. We will never forget Darlene, it is obviously easier as time goes on, but now tears have become laughter, and stories most often include Darlene. We miss you Auntie Darlene.
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