A corrections officer at Sing Sing Prison in Ossining was killed over the weekend when his vehicle was struck by a drunk driver on Route 9 in Mount Pleasant.
Corrections officer Roberto Ruiz, 49, was traveling north on Route 9 when he was struck by Christian Paul Valverde, 28, of Rye Brook, who had apparently crossed the double yellow line.
Ruiz was brought to Phelps Memorial hospital where he later died.
Valverde was arrested at the scene and charged with driving while intoxicated. He was also charged with criminal michief to a police vehicle, a felony, after trying to kick out the rear window of a police car and damaging part of the door, according to Mount Pleasant Poice Lt. Robert Miliambro.
Police also obtained a court order to give Valverde a blood test. The results of that test were not immediately known.
Valverde is being held at Westchester County Jail in Valhalla and is expected to be arraigned on Thursday.
Ruiz has worked for the New York State Department of Corrections for about 15 years, most recently at Sing Sing, according to Paul Mikolajczyk, the southern regional vice president of the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, which is the union that represents him. Before joining the department of corrections, Ruiz served in the United States Air Force.
“He was well liked, well respected, and he will be sorely missed,” said Mr. Mikolajczyk.
Ruiz leaves behind a wife and two small daughters.
