Long Beach Man Charged in Riverside County Fatal Hit-Run

Riverside County sheriff’s deputies said a 23-year-old Long Beach man was booked on suspicion of murder and felony hit-and-run after a fatal crash in Rancho Mirage on Saturday morning. The sheriff’s department identified the suspect as Tyler Conant and the woman who died as Teresa Bowlin, 57, of Cathedral City. Deputies said the collision was reported at 8:09 a.m. at Dinah Shore Drive and George Montgomery Way. (riversidesheriff.org) Investigators said Conant fled the scene and was later found nearby, then booked into the John Benoit Detention Center. ### Where did the crash happen, and who was killed? Dinah Shore Drive and George Montgomery Way in Rancho Mirage was the site of the collision, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. Deputies said they arrived and found Bowlin, one of the drivers, dead at the scene. Teresa Bowlin was identified by deputies as a 57-year-old Cathedral City resident. The sheriff’s department said no further details about the circumstances of the collision were immediately released. (riversidesheriff.org) ### Who is the man now facing the charges? Tyler Conant, 23, of Long Beach was identified by the sheriff’s department as the other driver involved in the crash. Deputies said he ran from the scene after the collision. (riversidesheriff.org) Palm Desert Station deputies said they searched the area and found Conant, then took him into custody without incident. The case was then turned over to the station’s Collision Reconstruction Team, the department said. (riversidesheriff.org) ### Why did investigators book the case as murder? Alcohol was a factor cited by investigators in the arrest. The sheriff’s department said that “during the investigation,” deputies determined Conant was under the influence of alcohol. (riversidesheriff.org) Murder and felony hit-and-run were the booking charges listed by the sheriff’s department. The agency did not explain in its public statement why prosecutors or investigators chose a murder count rather than another homicide-related charge. (riversidesheriff.org) ### How quickly did deputies find the suspect? Saturday, May 16, was the date deputies said they responded to the crash at 8:09 a.m. and then searched for the driver who had left the scene. The department’s statement said deputies located Conant in the area after learning the other driver had fled. (riversidesheriff.org) The sheriff’s department said the arrest was made without incident. KTLA, citing the same sheriff’s statement, reported that Conant was then booked into the John Benoit Detention Center. (riversidesheriff.org) ### What do authorities still want from the public? Deputy Bret Meservey was named by the sheriff’s department as the contact for information about the crash. The agency said the investigation is ongoing and asked anyone with information to call Meservey at (760) 836-1600 or Riverside County Sheriff’s Dispatch at (760) 836-3215. (riversidesheriff.org) May 17 was the date the Palm Desert Station posted its public account of the case. Any next court filing or formal charging decision would be expected to follow through Riverside County authorities, while the sheriff’s department continues to gather witness information. (riversidesheriff.org)