Steubenville, Ohio — The Steubenville community woke Thursday to heavy hearts after learning that 34‑year‑old John David Ruiz died in a devastating crash on U.S. Route 22 in Jefferson County early Wednesday morning. Ruiz, a Steubenville resident, was pronounced dead at the scene after his vehicle collided with a parked semi‑truck on the shoulder of the highway, authorities said.
Just before 5:30 a.m. on January 28, Ruiz was driving his 2016 Chevrolet Trax westbound through Island Creek Township when his SUV veered off the road’s right side. That’s where a 2019 Freightliner semi‑truck, hauling a trailer loaded with utility poles, was stopped on the berm. The impact with the trailer’s rear was violent, and Ruiz’s vehicle caught fire in the wreck that followed.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene, including the Ohio State Highway Patrol, local fire crews, sheriff’s deputies, and EMS teams. Despite their efforts, Ruiz succumbed to injuries from the collision. The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office pronounced him dead. The crash remains under active investigation by state troopers, who are still piecing together what led to the tragic off‑road departure.
Friends describe Ruiz as someone with a warm smile and a generous spirit who lit up rooms in Steubenville. A beloved son, a loyal friend, and a familiar face in local circles, his sudden loss struck deep in the hearts of those who knew him. Messages of condolences poured in online and in person as neighbors gathered to support Ruiz’s family and one another.
In the hours after the crash, community members rallied around Ruiz’s loved ones, sharing memories of his kindness and good humor. “He was the kind of guy who’d stop and help anyone, no matter what,” a friend wrote on a tribute page. Many recalled his laughter echoing through local gatherings and the steady kindness he offered without expectation.
For the broader Steubenville area, the tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of how fragile life can be on busy roadways like Route 22, where early‑morning travel often intersects with limited visibility and heavy traffic. Local leaders encouraged drivers to stay cautious and look out for one another on the roads.
Plans for memorial gatherings are expected to be announced by Ruiz’s family, as friends and neighbors seek ways to honor his life and legacy. In the meantime, his memory lives on in stories shared across Steubenville—a community holding tight to each other in grief and remembrance.
