A longtime Ontario city council member was arrested earlier this week after authorities said he was driving under the influence, hit another driver and then fled the scene.
Jim Bowman, who was first elected to the council in April 1986, was arrested Monday after the Ontario Police Department received reports of a traffic collision in the area of Euclid Avenue and Mission Boulevard around 5:05 p.m.
Witnesses told officers that a crash between two vehicles occurred, but one of the drivers drove away.
According to police, 911 dispatch received a call just one minute later from “the involved party who reportedly left the scene” who was in the area of Locust Street and Laurel Avenue.
“An Ontario Traffic Investigator responded to the scene and began a thorough investigation of the incident. Councilmember Bowman was determined to be at fault and was placed under arrest,” police said.
Bowman, who faces charges of driving under the influence and hit-and-run with injuries, was transported to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment. The other driver was treated for non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
The case was submitted to the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office for review.
Bowman initially served on the Ontario City Council from 1986-1998. During an eight-year hiatus, he worked for the Ontario Fire Department and served as Fire Chief for the City of Upland for one year.
He returned to office in 2006 and has remained a council member since. His current term expires in December 2026.