Woman who jumped out of moving car on I-10 and died leaves behind two children

It’s the first traffic death of the new year in El Paso.

Police say Cruz and her husband Fred Merriwether were driving east on 1-10.

Investigators were told the couple was arguing when Cruz opened the door and jumped out of the car.

The driver of the second car, also going east on 1-10 was unable to avoid Cruz and ran her over.

Cruz died at the scene.

Officials say the husband and the driver of the other car were not intoxicated.

However they say they suspect alcohol was a factor in Cruz’s death.

ABC-7 found a previous mug shot of the Cruz and learned Cruz had prior convictions for DWI in 2006 and assault causing bodily injury to a family member in 2012.

The victim in that case was listed as her husband, Fred Merriwether.

Merriwether said was too distraught to go on camera but told ABC-7 he loved his wife very much and is still trying to come to terms with his loss.

Merriwether said his wife also leaves their two children behind.