On a quiet Saturday evening in Stamford, a 54-year-old woman, later identified as Nelly Ruiz, was tragically killed after being hit by a vehicle as she crossed High Ridge Road in the city’s 900-block stretch. The crash occurred around 10:30 p.m. when Ruiz was walking from the east side of the road toward the west and was struck by a southbound car.
The driver involved was a 30-year-old Stamford resident behind the wheel of a 2016 Nissan Altima, who remained at the scene and is fully cooperating with investigators. According to authorities, there were no marked pedestrian crossings in the area where the collision took place.
When emergency services arrived, Ruiz was found with life-threatening injuries and was rushed to Stamford Hospital. Despite medical efforts, she was pronounced dead early Sunday morning. The sudden loss has shaken her community and raised serious questions about pedestrian safety on this stretch of the road.
Sgt. Jeffrey Booth of the Stamford Police Department noted that even though High Ridge Road is a well-traveled corridor—especially nearer to the Turn of River Road intersection—even at 10:30 p.m. there are people walking in the area. He pointed out that the crash site lacked a marked crosswalk, which may have contributed to the tragic outcome.
The car’s driver did not appear to be impaired; authorities have said at this point there is no indication that drugs, alcohol or excessive speed played a part. The crash is now being thoroughly investigated by the department’s Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Squad.
Local officials are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has information—perhaps surveillance footage from nearby businesses—to contact Stamford Police’s C.A.R.S. unit at 203-977-4712. With the investigation ongoing, the aim is to piece together the moments leading up to the collision and to determine what changes might prevent a similar tragedy in the future.
For Ruiz’s family, neighbors and the broader Stamford community, the incident is a painful reminder of how quickly an evening walk can turn deadly—and how infrastructure gaps like missing crosswalks can have profound consequences. As the investigation continues, many will be watching closely for how the city responds and works to ensure the safety of pedestrians in this busy, yet vulnerable stretch of roadway.
