We expect there to be a certain level of lawlessness present during illegal street racing and reckless driving. The title tells us that; “illegal”, “reckless”.
So while we expect it, we are always astonished when to see how pervasive, bold and rebellious the lawlessness is within the illegal street racing and reckless driving young adult community. We have heard comment after comment after comment ENCOURAGING street racers to outrun the police, to take police on high speed chases and to endanger the lives of the innocent, unsuspecting public while they are at it. The sound of Wisdom is like an almost imperceivable whisper under the onslaught and amplification of this lawlessness.
Today, we are reminded of San Bernardino County Sheriff Deputy Hector Cuevas, Jr. who was tragically killed in the line of duty in a high speed pursuit on March 17, 2025. The suspect, Ryan Dwayne Turner, Jr, aged 22 at the time, refused to pull over for the suspected charge of driving a stolen vehicle. Instead, he led authorities on a chase that exceeded 100 mph at times and ran at least 4 red lights. The chase lasted for 9 minutes before Deputy Cuevas, Jr, crashed into a car and then into a light pole which caused his patrol vehicle to split in half. Deputy Cuevas, Jr, was pronounced dead at the scene. His wife and two small children will now have to spend the rest of their lives without him.
Appalling, this was not Turner, Jr’s. first time evading police. In fact, he had just been released from prison less than six months before Deputy Cuevas, Jr’s death. Turner, Jr. had only served eight months of a 16 month sentence for grand theft auto, stemming from a stolen vehicle pursuit. During that incident, he evaded law enforcement at speeds of up to 90 mph spanning across several cities. One of the pursuing officers crashed his patrol car. Look at history repeating itself! The DA DROPPED the charges of felony evading! Turner, Jr took a plea deal for grand theft auto charged, served only eight months, released in October 2024 and caused the death of a deputy five months later for the same offense.
Rialto Police Chief Mark Kling rightly assessed the situation when he made the following statement, “Ryan Turner’s actions speak loudly that he has a habitual pattern of fleeing law enforcement because he fears no consequences”. That assessment also extends to the entire illegal street racing & reckless driving culture as we will see next.
People who encourage reckless drivers to outrun police with advice such as, “it’s not illegal if you don’t get caught”, “unless you don’t have enough hp (horsepower) in your car to outrun a patrol car then you shouldn’t be racing”, “just don’t stop, better luck next time”, expose the depths and the complexities of lawlessness, arrogance and invincibility fueling this illegal street racing and reckless driving culture. While these comments weren’t made regarding Deputy Cuevas, Jr’s death, they were made on a post by the CHP (California Highway Patrol) about their capture of a reckless driver who was clocked at speeds reaching 150 mph. The comments bring us into the mindset of these young adults while simultaneously illuminating the rebellion and invincibility complex fueling the illegal street racing and reckless driving crisis.
Law enforcement officers will regularly disengage from pursuits when it becomes a public safety concern; preferring instead to utilize other technology and methodology to capture reckless drivers and keep the roads safe. However, we all have to work together and we all have a part to play. The felony evading charge should have never been dropped. Instead, Turner, Jr, and others like him, should be MANDATED to take Illegal Street Racing & Reckless Driving Diversion Programs, in addition to sentencing according to guidelines. Additionally, Driver’s Education, with a focus specifically on Illegal Street Racing & Reckless Driving, should be MANDATED curriculum in all high schools to teach and discourage young adults from embracing this death-style culture. This is how we work together to eradicate this threat that is growing in popularity and attempting to plague the nation.
Dear Friends, you can help. We are asking you to PLACE A DEMAND today. Please Call, Email, Visit your local city council, state representatives, district attorneys and demand 1. Driver’s Education becomes a required course for all high school students and 2. Mandated Illegal Street Racing & Reckless Driving Diversion Programs for all charged with such offenses.
We WILL Slam the Brakes on illegal street racing & reckless driving.