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Pregnant Woman Hurt In Rio Linda Crash, DUI Suspect Arrested

RIO LINDA (CBS13) –A pregnant woman was rushed to the hospital after she was struck by a DUI suspect in Rio Linda Monday night.

The incident happened on M Street, just west of Rio Linda Boulevard.

rio linda crash (credit RioLindaOnline dot com)
Scene of the crash in Rio Linda on April 8. (Credit: RioLindaOnline.com)

California Highway Patrol says, around 8 p.m., the woman, 31-year-old Ciara Villegas, was standing next to a Chevy Impala when a Jeep struck the car. Villegas, who was six months pregnant, was hit by the parked car in the ricochet and was sent flying, leaving her with life-threatening injuries.

Neighbors say she was getting out of her vehicle when she was hit.

A family friend says Ciara and her son Ricky, who was delivered via emergency c-section, are now fighting for their lives.

rio-linda-pregnant-go-fundme-2
Ciara Villegas, 23, (credit: Erin Brogdon/GoFundMe)

Officers say the man driving the Jeep, identified as Ronny Haines Ward, stopped at the scene and was later arrested by CHP on suspicion of DUI and driving with a suspended license. He was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail.

Ronny Ward – sacramento sheriff
Ronny Ward's booking photo. (Credit: Sacramento County Sheriff's Department)

Villegas' current condition is unknown at this point. A passenger who was inside the parked car that was hit suffered minor injuries.

A GoFundMe has been started for Villegas and her family. It can be found here.

 

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