Humboldt County Superior Court Judge Lawrence Killoran sentenced a 25-year-old Fields Landing man to serve 11 years in prison today, months after he drunkenly
crashed his truck into a Humboldt Hill house, killing Robert Beland, 64, who was sleeping in bed at the time.
Ryder Dale Stapp tried to flee the scene of the crash but was detained by bystanders until police arrived.
Stapp pleaded guilty to a charge of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and hit and run resulting in death or serious bodily injury stemming from the June 28 crash. Six members of Beland's family and two friends addressed the court prior to sentencing, according to a press release from the Humboldt County District Attorney's Office.
See the full press release copied below:
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.