Monroe man pleads fast, furious, guilty

The Monroe man who said he had wanted police to kill him following a high-speed chase down U.S. Highway 2 in mid-July has pleaded guilty to two felony charges.

Rene Fabian Carmona Ruiz took a plea agreement in which he admitted to second-degree assault and attempt to elude a police vehicle on Thursday in front of Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Michael Downes.

Ruiz is believed to have been high on meth when he doused himself and his wife with gasoline, held a knife to her throat and fled from law enforcement July 16, according to probable cause documents. The couple has been married for 17 years and has two daughters together.

Ruiz’s wife told Snohomish County Sheriff’s deputies her husband had threatened to kill her earlier that Sunday. She told them he had driven her to the homes of relatives, so she could say her goodbyes. The couple also stopped at a Texaco station to buy the gasoline he used to cover them both.

Afterward, Ruiz allegedly held a lighter in his mouth as he tried to close the gas can, according to probable cause documents. His wife said she was able to knock the lighter away and break it.

Monroe Police officers assisted the sheriff’s office in finding the couple and the vehicle. Ruiz was reportedly clocked at speeds close to 70 mph during the pursuit as he headed for Monroe.

After Ruiz passed through Sultan, he avoided two spike strips thrown down by police, according to court documents. He allegedly still had a utility knife in his hand when officers first made contact to take him into custody. His wife had three cuts on her arm and “reeked of gasoline,” according to the documents.

Court documents state Ruiz admitted to the accusations that he had planned to kill himself and his wife, but later said he had only wanted to kill himself. He also reportedly switched part of his story that he had fled from police because he wanted to avoid jail; instead saying it was because he wanted to be killed by them.

He was booked into the Snohomish County Jail for second-degree assault, harassment or threats to kill and attempt to elude a police vehicle. Ruiz had another case pending against him at the time, and he was believed to be a threat to the community if released.

Ruiz’s bail was set at $500,000, according to the Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. His sentencing is set for Monday, Oct. 16.

Rene Fabian Carmona Ruiz took a plea agreement in which he admitted to second-degree assault and attempt to elude a police vehicle on Thursday in front of Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Michael Downes.

Ruiz is believed to have been high on meth when he doused himself and his wife with gasoline, held a knife to her throat and fled from law enforcement July 16, according to probable cause documents. The couple has been married for 17 years and has two daughters together.

Ruiz’s wife told Snohomish County Sheriff’s deputies her husband had threatened to kill her earlier that Sunday. She told them he had driven her to the homes of relatives, so she could say her goodbyes. The couple also stopped at a Texaco station to buy the gasoline he used to cover them both.

Afterward, Ruiz allegedly held a lighter in his mouth as he tried to close the gas can, according to probable cause documents. His wife said she was able to knock the lighter away and break it.

Monroe Police officers assisted the sheriff’s office in finding the couple and the vehicle. Ruiz was reportedly clocked at speeds close to 70 mph during the pursuit as he headed for Monroe.

After Ruiz passed through Sultan, he avoided two spike strips thrown down by police, according to court documents. He allegedly still had a utility knife in his hand when officers first made contact to take him into custody. His wife had three cuts on her arm and “reeked of gasoline,” according to the documents.

Court documents state Ruiz admitted to the accusations that he had planned to kill himself and his wife, but later said he had only wanted to kill himself. He also reportedly switched part of his story that he had fled from police because he wanted to avoid jail; instead saying it was because he wanted to be killed by them.

He was booked into the Snohomish County Jail for second-degree assault, harassment or threats to kill and attempt to elude a police vehicle. Ruiz had another case pending against him at the time, and he was believed to be a threat to the community if released.

Ruiz’s bail was set at $500,000, according to the Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. His sentencing is set for Monday, Oct. 16.