Last Updated on November 2, 2019 by CCAR Staff
An off-duty Ontario police detective driving an SUV died after he lost control of the vehicle and hit a tree shortly after midnight on Saturday in San Bernardino, officials said.
Joshua Ray Burks, 40, of San Bernardino, was driving north on University Parkway approaching Kendall Drive when he hit the tree in the center median, San Bernardino police said. He was the only person in the car.
Burks was taken to a local hospital, where he died of his injuries.
“Josh Burks was a dedicated 20-year veteran of the Ontario Police Department,” Ontario police Sgt. Bill Russell said. “He really served his city and community very well. My heart goes out to him and his family during this tragic time.”
Today, we mourn the loss of one of our own, Detective Joshua Burks. Tragically, he passed away after being involved in an off duty traffic collision in the City of San Bernardino. We ask that any media inquiries regarding the collision be directed to San Bernardino PD. pic.twitter.com/AWoL7A18YN
— Ontario Police Dept. (@OntarioPD) November 2, 2019
Burks’ career in law enforcement began in 1997, when he became a police cadet. About two years later, he was hired as a police recruit and rose through the Ontario Police Department’s ranks, according to the department.
San Bernardino police said they were still investigating what led to the crash.
Burks, who appeared to be off-duty at the time of the crash, was driving an unmarked Ontario city vehicle, according to San Bernardino police.
Authorities in San Bernardino were working with the Ontario Police Department in the investigation, officials said.
Anyone with information about the crash was asked to contact Sgt. Equino Thomas or Sgt. Jeff Harvey at 909-384-5792.
