On Monday, March 17, 2025, the Rialto Police Department became aware of a fatal collision in the City of Victorville resulting in the death of a San Bernardino County Sherriff’s Deputy. According to the Sherriff’s press release, the deputy was in pursuit of a suspect driving a stolen vehicle when the collision occurred. That suspect was later apprehended and identified as Ryan Turner, who has a history of fleeing from law enforcement and putting the public’s safety at risk. Turner has an extensive criminal arrest history and on January 29, 2024, led the Rialto Police Department on a high-speed pursuit. That pursuit also resulted in a collision.
During this incident, Turner was observed by officers in possession of a reported stolen vehicle and when they attempted to stop the vehicle, Turner fled driving with wanton disregard for public safety. The pursuit reached speeds in excess of 90 MPH on surface streets travelling from the City of Rialto into the City of San Bernardino before reaching the intersection of Foothill Blvd. and Meridian Ave. It was there when the primary pursuing officer collided with another vehicle that entered the intersection despite pursuing officers having all emergency lights and sirens activated. Turner was able to evade police capture at that time, however, he was later detained by the San Bernardino Police Department (San Bernardino Case# 24-12029). While in San Bernardino Police custody, Turner again attempted to flee from officers, only this time on foot while handcuffed. He was once again apprehended and turned over into the custody of the Rialto Police Department, and later booked into county jail for PC 496d(a) – possession of a stolen vehicle, VC 10851(a) – grand theft auto, and VC 2800.2(a) – felony evading.
Following his arrest, Turner was charged with the above crimes and on February 22, 2024, entered a plea deal with the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office at which time he pled no contest to VC 10851 (a), receiving a sentence of 16 months in county prison. All other charges were dismissed. Despite the sentence, Turner was released from custody in October 2024, only serving 8 months of his sentence pursuant to PC 4019 – custody credits that was enacted in October 2011.
“Our hearts are broken for the deputy’s family as they process this tragedy. Furthermore, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department should not be preparing to bury one of their own. Their loss is law enforcement’s loss,” said Rialto Police Chief Mark Kling. In October 2011, PC 4019 was enacted to give time served credits to felony suspects serving time in county jails. Because of this law, Ryan Turner was released from county prison after serving only half of his original 16-month sentence. Before AB 109 and PC 4019 were enacted there is a good likelihood that Ryan Turner would still be in state prison today and this deputy would still be alive. “Ryan Turner’s actions speak loudly that he has a habitual pattern of fleeing law enforcement because he fears no consequences,” said Chief Kling.
For immediate release:
Office of Chief Mark Kling