Lots of folks saw this on national TV when it happened. Since it’s local, I thought I’d post the follow-up. The NEW MEXICAN can be a little irregular; but, this shouldn’t require signing in for a free subscription.

The woman who drove a truck through a medical clinic last week told police afterward that she was cursed and had felt “a presence” in the bathroom with her earlier that morning, according to court documents.

In addition, Rachel Ruiz, 38, said she was prescribed a medication for convulsions but that she’d never filled it, the documents say. Instead, she said she was taking two “natural medications,” including one that warns users not to drive while taking it, the documents state.

Three Santa Fe residents — including the receptionist at Concentra Medical Centers, a mother and son sitting in the waiting room — died after the full-size GMC pickup slammed into the clinic just before 10 a.m. Friday. Of the eight others, including Ruiz, who were taken to the hospital, at least five were released as of Tuesday.

Santa Fe Police Officer Scott Waite met with Ruiz — who turned 38 Friday — just after she was escorted from the clinic Friday and remained with her while she waited for medical help at the scene and while she was treated at St. Vincent Regional Medical Center, according to an affidavit filed Monday in District Court asking for the court’s permission to take a sample of her blood.

“Ruiz made several statements to me about being cursed,” Waite said in the affidavit.

Ruiz has not been charged in connection with the crash, while police and prosecutors await the results of a blood test, police have said.

While the “Devil defense” isn’t unknown in my neck of the woods, it’s credence continues to diminish.



  1. This is why natural medication sucks. No thanks treehuggers , no st. johns wort for me.

  2. Milo says:

    Faith based crime.

  3. plankton says:

    Actually, thomas, many naturopathic remedies work rather well. The problems often are that 1) many people are too lazy or simply don’t know any better to do the proper research; 2) many people assume that because something is “natural” it cannot be harmful; 3) it can be difficult to find accurate information concerning these remedies; and 4) many people assume that all conventional medicine is bad and will not pursue it as an option.

    People need to get properly diagnosed and then research their illness or condition thoroughly, as well as all possible treatments including lifestyle change, before deciding on the best action to take.

    The supplement this woman was taking was meant to help relieve stress, not seizures. She should have paid attention to the warning. Valerian root is great to relieve stress and help you sleep. It’s not good when you’re behind the wheel.

    Anytime a medication is taken, whether natural or conventional, precautions need to be taken until the person knows what kind of effect that medication is going to have.

  4. Alex says:

    The problem here isn’t natural medicine, it’s natural and abundant stupidity. This woman is an imbecile and should be put away because she is a danger to herself and others.

  5. plankton says:

    I had a really long response, yes, longer than this one, but it was getting out of hand 🙂 …

    The thing is there have been studies, some unbiased and some biased. I can say the same for conventional medicine. (How many times have we heard about a new wonder drug and later find that it’s responsible for permanent damage or even the deaths of many patients?) The trick is to do good research. I look for several sources of information and avoid any sources that look like they aren’t knowledgeable. (any source that makes something out to be “too good to be true” is usually wrong, and likewise, any source that makes something out to be absolutely useless, even if it’s been used for centuries with good results, can also be wrong.) I look for scientific studies. I also look at research done by the conventional medical community. I keep in mind the source of what I’m reading. I also keep in mind that just because something is “natural” it doesn’t always mean it’s safe. There are many natural substances that are not safe. If there is a dangerous known side effect I won’t use it, conventional or natural.

    Many of our conventional meds are synthesized versions of plant derivatives that focus on only the “active” compound ignoring other compounds in the whole plant that often help counteract side effects. (Meadowsweet is a good example) Western conventional medicine does tend to over do it sometimes, using a compound that is a lot stronger than necessary. We also tend to ignore underlying problems that cause a symptom. Back pain is a good example.

    Don’t get me wrong, I am not against conventional medicine at all. Any condition or illness that is severe or persists should receive medical attention from a doctor. Many infections do need conventional medicine. Antibiotics are very useful when they are used properly. We also see the problem with over prescribing them.

    It just so happens that I rarely find myself sick, and when I do it’s usually something minor. In these cases I have found that for myself a natural remedy often works just as well or even better than it’s conventional counterpart. I’m also intelligent enough to know when something really needs a doctor’s attention and when something doesn’t. If I were to suddenly found myself having a seizure I would immediately see a doctor and demand MRIs and all kinds of tests. (I would also have a friend drive me to said doctor) I’ve never had a seizure and I know enough to know that a sudden onset of something like this could indicate a very serious underlying problem. If I had any history at all of convulsions I would be seeing a doctor regularly for them. I would also seriously research any medication prescribed to me and would probably look for a safer treatment, but I would also seriously research any alternative medication and would also seek out a naturopathic physician to help me. I would not stop taking the conventional med until I was sure I found a good alternative and I would only do so under the advisement of a good naturopathic physician. I would not take any medication, conventional or natural, that is strong enough to treat a seizure and then just get behind the wheel of a car without knowing how that med is going to affect me. But then, I’m not an idiot.

    You can think all you want that these remedies do not work, it doesn’t change the fact that many of them do, and there are studies to back that. You don’t have to use them, no one is forcing you. At the same time it is irresponsible to use any medication, conventional or natural, without doing some research.


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