Statement by County Executive Marc Elrich on the Death of Ride On Bus Operator Ruiz Bell

For Immediate Release: Friday, May 2, 2025

I was very saddened to learn about the death of Ruiz Bell, a longtime Ride On bus operator who died this morning after suffering a heart attack while on the job.

Mr. Bell was behind the wheel of the southbound Route 55 bus when it happened, and even in that moment, he was thinking about the people around him — bringing the bus to a safe stop and preventing what could have been an even greater tragedy. That kind of calm under pressure tells you a lot about the person he was.

Ruiz had been with the County since 2012 and was a proud MCGEO shop steward. He showed up every day for his job, for his riders and for his coworkers. People knew him for his humor, his kindness and the way he made the workday a little lighter — not because he had to, but because that’s who he was.

He leaves behind his wife and ten children, six girls and four boys. He loved golf, the Dallas Cowboys and grilling. He was 63 years old and lived in Gaithersburg.

On behalf of Montgomery County, I want to extend my condolences to his wife, his children, his coworkers at MCDOT and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. I also want to thank the bus riders who tried to help him. His loss is a hard one, and he will be missed.