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Local mom Kelly Ruiz killed in SoCal crash
Driver faces manslaughter charges after plunge from overpass

by Palo Alto Weekly

The victims of a horrific car crash in Santa Barbara County earlier this month included a young woman from Mountain View, Kelly Marie Ruiz, whose mother said the incident "sounds like a murder."

The early morning crash on Sunday, Oct. 14 in Montecito that killed Ruiz, 26, and another passenger "made everybody's life terrible," Ruiz' mother said last Thursday.

Ruiz, herself the mother of a 9-year-old boy, and Sara Elizabeth Pezzimenti, 21, of Palo Alto, were passengers in a Chevrolet Camaro being driven by Beau James Robertson, 29, of Palo Alto. According to the California Highway Patrol, Robertson was driving at about 2:15 a.m. on a road that parallels U.S. Highway 101 and attempted to make a right turn onto an overpass.

He lost control of the Camaro, the CHP reported, and the car jumped the curb and sidewalk, knocked out a metal railing and plunged off the overpass onto southbound 101.

It landed on its right side in the left lane, where it was struck by a Honda sedan occupied by a family of five, according to CHP Officer Don Clotworthy.

Ruiz and Pezzimenti were thrown from the vehicle, and both were killed instantly, the CHP reported. Robertson suffered head and internal injuries and was taken by ambulance to the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. Three passengers of the Honda were also injured. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

Robertson, now said to be in "fair" condition, faces charges of felony driving under the influence and felony gross vehicular manslaughter, according to a CHP press release.

Weaving between anger and grief, Ruiz' mother, Anita Henley, said she has "lost my precious little girl, and her son is losing his mother. This is all terrible."

She said she did not know the driver, but "I hope they throw the book at him. I hate him. It sounds like a murder. I'm angry. I feel sorry for that guy's parents, but this guy, he made everybody's life terrible."

However, Robin Pezzimenti, mother to Sara Pezzimenti, said Robertson was a good friend to her daughter. She said Sara had been in the Santa Barbara area to celebrate Robertson's birthday.

"I'm sure he would have never intentionally hurt her. It was an accident, and that's what I hope people remember," she said.

Henley describes her daughter as an exuberant woman with many friends.

"If you were down she always brought you up," Henley said.

Ruiz loved music and star emblems — on jewelry and other decorations — because "She wanted to be a star," Henley said.

Ruiz, who lived all but about two years of her life in Mountain View, was to start a new job as an administrative assistant this week, Henley said.

A memorial service for Ruiz was held Sunday at Spangler Mortuary in Mountain View.

Family, friends and coworkers are setting up a family and college fund for Ruiz's 9-year-old son, Tyson Garcia, at the Palo Alto Credit Union, 616 Ramona St., No. 3, Palo Alto, CA 94301.

Posted by caring person j, a resident of the Monta Loma neighborhood, on Oct 29, 2007 at 9:46 pm

Never get in the car with a person who has been drinking.

Posted by Hassan Amidhozour (Toronto, Canada), a resident of another community, on Nov 8, 2007 at 5:34 am

I am so sorry for your loss Mrs Ruiz. I never knew your daughter but I knew Sara though through her brother Michael. Also Mike, Frank, and Robin my heart goes out to you.

-Hassan

Posted by Family, a resident of another community, on Nov 12, 2007 at 12:08 am

To the brave anoyomus Monte Loma resident whose comments state "never get into the car with a person who has been drinking" you should clarify your statement to never in a car with someone who is a murderer! Kelly or Sara WAS NOT behind the wheel, Beau was. He played God and took their young lives away...shame on you. Hassan Amidhozour..Thank you for you loving thought. God bless you.

Posted by bleb, a resident of the Shoreline West neighborhood, on Dec 7, 2007 at 2:17 am

those girls made the choice to get in the car with him.. i am sure he didn't force them in and they were probably aware he was drinking...i would never get in a car with someone drinking but they made a awful mistake of trusting him. it was a horrible accident, and he will have to pay for the decision he made for the rest of his life whether it be in jail or not. i just don't understand why anyone would drink and drive seeing stuff like this happens all the time and it's always on the news. what a waste of so much life they had.... and her poor son will grow up without a mother.. i hope this guy will never forget the void he left in their families lifes...... they were both so beautiful... my condolences go out to these young ladies families. GODSPEED.

Posted by Get really!!, a resident of the Shoreline West neighborhood, on Feb 8, 2008 at 9:33 am

Bleb just viewed you comment...No beau didn't force them into the car and no they were not aware of him being so drunk!!Beau was Double the limit. Kelly and Sara were innocent victims of this horrific crime that Beau is guilty of. It really doesn't matter if they were aware or not, they are not on trail here, Both died at the hands of Beau, so stop softing up the murder that he decided to do. Total responiblity is on Beau, don't you ever forget that!! It just erks me to see him out and about, laughing at Starbucks with his friends, and enjoying life. Too bad Kelly and Sara didn't have that choice

Posted by You don't know the whole story..., a resident of the Shoreline West neighborhood, on Aug 11, 2008 at 2:03 pm

Beau is a wonderful guy and has had his life torn apart by this tragic ACCIDENT. He would trade his life in a second to bring the life back of those girls. He did not murder them, it was a tragic mistake. I've known Beau for a long time - and he isn't the same Beau. He never smiles.... and it's difficult to get him outside the house. He will pay the price for the rest of his life and he'll never forget what happened to Sara and Kelly...

Posted by Richard, a resident of another community, on Aug 22, 2008 at 1:46 am

all you people who are hatin on beau you all dnt know crap your all

suckas remeber that!

Posted by unknown, a resident of another community, on Apr 28, 2009 at 3:03 pm

Bottom line: drinking and driving do not mix.

Posted by K., a resident of another community, on Jan 1, 2010 at 2:09 am

Anita has every right to be angry. Her beloved daughter Kelly is gone from this world forever, and has left an empty space is many people's hearts that knew and loved her. It's just horrific that her son must now face life without his mother too. My heart goes out to Sara's family as well.

Posted by ashley, a resident of the Old Mountain View neighborhood, on Jan 7, 2010 at 4:37 pm

your smile is my first thought in the morning still, i learned from you in so many ways! time has made the world stand still, but it is not quite. but i know your watching over us and keeping us safe. thank you for everything, i know we wont let you down. see you when i get heaven!