In The News
Werner driver trainer stabbed to death by trainee
SALADO, Texas — A Werner Enterprises driver trainee has been charged with first-degree murder after he stabbed his trainer to death Thursday following an argument.
Bell County, Texas, authorities said Stanley Polk Jr., 46, fatally stabbed Ronald Ruiz, 62, of South Bend, Indiana.
Polk is being held on $1 million bond.
The incident occurred at the northbound Interstate 35 rest stop near Salado, which is located about halfway between Waco and Austin.
Derek Leathers, Werner Enterprises President and COO issued the following statement concerning the incident:
"On Thursday, Aug. 27, two Werner Enterprises associates were involved in an incident at a rest stop in Bell County, Texas, that resulted in the death of Ronald Ruiz, one of our valued professional drivers. Our thoughts and sincere condolences go out to Mr. Ruiz's family. Local law enforcement is conducting an active criminal investigation, and Werner Enterprises is cooperating fully with that investigation.''
According to the Temple Daily Telegram, authorities received a call from a construction worker about a stabbing at the rest stop at mile marker 281.
Deputies arrived and found Ruiz stabbed multiple times by a man wearing black shorts, a black shirt and white tennis shoes, Lt. T.J. Cruz of the Bell County Sheriff's Office said.
The assailant fled from the rest area, spurring a massive multi-agency search.
Persons at the rest stop provided care to Ruiz, who was airlifted to Baylor Scott & White Memorial Hospital in Temple where he later died from his injuries.
Authorities said Ruiz was stabbed several times in the chest.
Polk was identified through Werner's records of who was on the trip.
Polk was able to escape a massive manhunt until he was spotted about 4:35 a.m. Friday, just north of the Salado Holiday Inn Express by someone who watched media reports and had Polk's description. He was subsequently arrested.
The Holiday Inn Express is almost five miles from the rest stop, which is located between Salado and Jarrell.
Authorities told the newspaper that Polk probably "hunkered down" while they were searching and then had plenty of time to make the trek on foot to the hotel.
Bell County has requested the rest stop's surveillance videos.