Office of the District Attorney - Maggie Fleming, District Attorney
NEWS RELEASE
February 25, 2020
On February 25th, 2020, Humboldt County Judge Lawrence Killoran sentenced Ryder Dale Stapp to state prison for 11 years for the crimes of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated (Penal Code section 191.5(a)) and hit and run resulting in death or serious injury to another person (Vehicle Code section 20001(b)(2)), for the killing of Bob Beland on June 28, 2019. Judge Killoran sentenced Stapp to the aggravated term of 10 years for gross vehicular manslaughter and an additional year for the hit and run resulting in death. Vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated is a strike under California law: the prison sentence for any future serious or violent felony committed by Stapp would be doubled.
Six members of Mr. Beland’s family and two of his friends addressed the court.
Stapp was taken into custody following his sentencing.
California Highway Patrol Officer Tierney Burk investigated the case. Deputy District Attorney Trent Timm prosecuted the case with the assistance of District Attorney Investigator Braden Brawner.