On May 10, 2017 at about 6:47 a.m., a Kern County Sheriff's deputy on patrol in Oildale attempted to stop a vehicle at Airport Drive and Roberts Lane. The driver, later identified as Ryan Douglas Nickle, exited the vehicle which was still running and fled on foot, according to police.

The vehicle continued in drive and unoccupied across the four lanes of traffic on Airport Drive during the morning commute for students walking to school at Beardsley School. The vehicle then collided with a fence in the 300 block of Airport Drive causing substantial damage to a fence and shed.

Nickle continued running on foot and ran onto school property at Beardsley School. The school was placed on lockdown while deputies searched for Nickle. Nickle was eventually located by deputies and taken into custody.

Nickle was arrested and booked for vehicle theft, possession of stolen property, hit and run, obstructing an officer, trespassing, possession of burglary tools, felony vandalism, and participation in a criminal street gang.