Community mourns UC Merced and ex-Mendota High soccer player killed in fatal crash
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Isaias Ruiz, UC Merced soccer player and Mendota High alum, died in a crash
- Ruiz remembered for leadership, selflessness and positive influence on teammates
- Former coaches and teammates mourn loss; GoFundMe launched for funeral expenses
Isaias Ruiz was always the type of person to care for others first. That is the way it’s always been, according to Mendota boys soccer coach Luis Del Rio, Ruiz’s former coach.
He was always thoughtful. Even on the pitch, he was the first to arrive and last to leave.
“He was a serious guy,” Del Rio said. “He always liked to smile. He was a very humble person. He was a wonderful person.”
Ruiz was killed in a crash with a semi truck Monday on I-5 near Coalinga. He died at the scene.
He was 19.
After playing for Mendota High, Ruiz went to UC Merced and played for coach Albert Martins. There, he played in three matches and had an assist and two shots on goal.
“Just the most positive and uplifting person that we could have had in our program,” Martins said. “He only wanted the best, even if things were difficult moments for him, trying to score goals. Whatever it was. He was still more concerned with everybody around him and making sure that they were right.He’s just the ultimate giver and just a positive influence, even as an 18-year-old freshman.”
Martins said he traveled to Mendota to be there for Ruiz’s family. He took time to head to Mendota High and walked around to remember Ruiz.
He said Ruiz meant a lot to him.
Martins said it will continue to be a tough process in mourning Ruiz, who recently talked to him asking what he can do to get better.
“He was doing an internship back home in Mendota,” he said. “Just seeing how it was going. He always wants to talk about training. We’re always having little chats about that and making sure he was good.”
In his senior season at Mendota, Ruiz helped the Aztecs to a 21-6-1 overall record and 9-1 in the West Sierra League. He finished with a team-high 29 goals. He also had 11 assists and five steals.
Del Rio said he is still in shock and in disbelief that his former player is gone. He said he will cherish all the moments he shared with him.
“I still can’t believe it,” Del Rio said. “It’s so painful. It’s hard for all of us.”
A GoFundMe account was established for Ruiz’s family to help with funeral costs.
This story was originally published July 12, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
