The local driver who survived last week’s fatal vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 40 is reported to be out of the hospital.

Victor Ruiz, 35, of Granby, was released late last week from Denver General Hospital. He suffered a broken nose and other facial injuries during the accident.

“I recently spoke to his cousin who said Victor is doing pretty good,” said Sgt. Gary Meirose of the Granby office of the State Patrol.

Ruiz was injured in the two-vehicle crash on Tuesday, April 1, that took the life of 44-year-old Reba Ferguson, the principal of Fraser Valley Elementary School.

According to the State Patrol’s investigation, Ferguson lost control of her vehicle as it headed west on an icy section of U.S. Highway 40 between Tabernash and the top of Red Dirt Hill. Her vehicle slid into the eastbound lane where it collided with Ruiz’s vehicle.

Ferguson was pronounced dead at the scene. Ruiz was evacuated by an Air Life helicopter to Denver General Hospital. No other passengers were in the two vehicles.

Sgt. Meirose said that no charges needed be filed as the cause of the accident was weather related.

A memorial service to honor Ferguson is planned for Friday, April 18, at 1 p.m. at the Church of the Eternal Hills in Tabernash. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the memorial garden fund at Fraser Valley Elementary PAC, P.O. Box 128, Fraser, CO 80442, or a scholarship fund at East Grand Schools, P.O. Box 125, Granby, CO 80446.