Man accused of ramming estranged wife’s car, authorities say

What began as a disturbance call in Bloomington on Thursday morning quickly escalated into a violent crash involving an estranged couple, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

Deputies from the Fontana Station were dispatched around 8:57 a.m. on Aug. 14 to the 17000 block of Santa Ana Avenue after a woman reported that her estranged husband, identified as 33-year-old Jose Rios, had forced his way into her home by kicking down the door. By the time deputies arrived, Rios had already fled the residence in a silver 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe, authorities said.

As investigators continued speaking with the victim, Rios allegedly returned to the neighborhood. Deputies said he accelerated into oncoming traffic and struck his wife’s vehicle head-on as she drove eastbound on Santa Ana Avenue, directly in front of the residence where the incident began.

The impact hit the passenger-side front fender of the woman’s car before Rios lost control, colliding with a cinder block wall and three parked vehicles, officials said.

Rios was transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash. Afterward, deputies booked him on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and felony vandalism.

The Sheriff’s Department said the victim, described only as an adult woman, was not reported to have suffered serious injuries.

Authorities are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact the Fontana Sheriff’s Station at (909) 356-6767. Anonymous tips may be submitted through the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or online.