According to police, a sheriff’s deputy lost his life during a pursuit after his patrol car struck a bystander’s vehicle and then smashed into a light post, shattering the car in two.
The chase began on Monday morning, shortly before 11 a.m., in San Bernardino, California, when law enforcement received a complaint about a probable stolen vehicle noticed by a constable on duty at the Victorville City Station, according to ABC News’ Los Angeles station KABC.
Deputies attempted a traffic stop, but the subject, Ryan Turner, refused to surrender, resulting in a pursuit,” according to a statement from the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department. “During the pursuit, Deputy Hector Cuevas, Jr. was involved in a traffic collision with another vehicle.”
During the police pursuit, Cuevas wrecked near the intersection of El Evado and Seneca roads, striking a bystander’s vehicle before colliding with a light pole, severing his automobile in half.
“Cuevas succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene,” according to authorities. “The female driver of the other vehicle was transported to a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.”
Ryan Dwayne Turner, Jr., a 22-year-old San Bernardino resident, continued to flee before parking his car at El Evado Road and Zuni Lane and tried to escape on foot, according to law enforcement.
Turner was apprehended and arrested after a brief pursuit, according to authorities.
Cuevas was a six-year law enforcement veteran who had served at the Victorville station for the past three years, according to KABC.
Turner was arrested on accusations of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, escaping a peace officer, and causing death or serious injury, San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus stated at a press conference on Monday.
“I really have no words to describe this tragedy. Hector is the type of law enforcement officer that we all want to be,” Dicus told the crowd. “He was a grand and great protector and a great father, and we will be suffering his loss and supporting his family for quite some time.”
Vehicles from multiple law enforcement agencies escorted the deputy’s body in a solemn procession across local freeways to the San Bernardino County Coroner’s Office following the incident, KABC said .
Dicus acknowledged that an investigation into the crash is in progress and stated, “At this time, we do not know the exact circumstances surrounding the collision as of yet.”
“We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of a San Bernardino County deputy,” the San Bernardino Police Officers Association said in a message on social media. “Our thoughts and prayers are with their family, friends, and the entire agency during this difficult time. They made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their community, and their bravery will never be forgotten.”
