(Josh Hall/rdnewsNOW)

By Sheldon Spackman

Aug. 12, 2025

Man convicted in fatal Red Deer crash sentenced to 10 years

Oct 24, 2025 | 3:46 PM

A man charged in a fatal hit and run involving an alleged stolen vehicle in Red Deer this summer has been sentenced to 10 years in jail.

Ryan Allan Bell, 33, of Red Deer County, was sentenced in Red Deer Court of Justice on Oct. 23, 2025, after being convicted on four counts, including criminal negligence causing death, accident resulting in death, housebreak commit theft, and assault. Four other counts were withdrawn.

It was recommended during Bell’s sentencing that he serves his time at Bowden Institution.

Bell was convicted in the death of a 46-year-old Red Deer woman in a collision on Aug. 12, 2025.

Related: UPDATE: Police arrest individual following fatal collision in Red Deer

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Red Deer RCMP made an arrest following the collision that happened around 4:21 p.m. near 40 Avenue and 22 Street.

Police allege while an SUV was making a turn, an individual driving a stolen truck travelling at a high rate of speed collided with the SUV.

Police say the victim driving the SUV was a 46-year-old woman from Red Deer who was found deceased. She was later identified as Shelley Thornton.

According to the Local CUPE 417 website, Thornton served as the treasurer with CUPE 417 and was an employee with the City of Red Deer for over 10 years where she worked as an administration clerk for municipal policing services.

Mounties said the suspect then attempted to steal vehicles of those who stopped to help the victim, and did in fact end up stealing an SUV. The suspect later crashed the vehicle on 39 Street and fled on foot but was quickly located by police and arrested.

Police say the collision caused a traffic disruption for several hours while RCMP along with the Collision Reconstructionist investigated.

RCMP said speed and drugs were believed to be contributing factors in the crash.

Related: RCMP lay charges in fatal Red Deer crash

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