A San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputy died from accidents suffered in a site visitors collision following a pursuit of a stolen car in Victorville on Monday, March 17; and the suspect being pursued was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter whereas intoxicated and evading.
Sheriff’s deputy Hector Cuevas Jr., 36, died in a crash amid the regulation enforcement pursuit, authorities mentioned.
The crash occurred at El Evado and Seneca roads after deputies started pursuing the reportedly stolen car round 10:58 a.m., mentioned Gloria Orejel, a spokesperson for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Division.
Cuevas died from his accidents on the scene.
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He had labored in regulation enforcement for six years and served with the Victorville sheriff’s station for the previous three years, in keeping with San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus. Earlier, Cuevas was an officer with the Upland Police Division. Cuevas is survived by his spouse, two youngsters, dad and mom, brother and sister.
Dicus mentioned he frolicked with Cuevas’ household and his fellow deputies Monday, who described him as a household man and a loyal regulation enforcement officer.
“Hector is the type of law enforcement officer that we all want to be,” Dicus mentioned. “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.”
Sheriff’s officers and several other space regulation enforcement businesses led a procession to convey the deputy to the coroner’s workplace.
Scores of regulation enforcement officers, their emergency lights on their patrol automobiles and bikes flashing silently, arrived on the San Bernardino County Coroner’s Workplace on Lena Highway in San Bernardino shortly after 3 p.m. together with the van containing the deputy’s physique. They drove beneath an enormous American flag suspended between two hearth vans as firefighters saluted.
The van drove between traces of saluting deputies and into the again of the workplace. Extra deputies saluted because the deputy’s physique was unloaded and moved into the constructing.
A number of males in civilian garments huddled on the street earlier than the procession got here, one so apparently distraught that he flung his cellphone onto the asphalt pavement. They disappeared into the again parking zone of the Coroner’s Workplace after the procession arrived.
“Deputy Cuevas dedicated his life to serving and protecting his community with honor, courage and selflessness,” the Sheriff’s Division mentioned on X. “His sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
“Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, and fellow deputies during this difficult time,” the division continued. “May they find comfort in the support of those around them and strength in knowing that Deputy Cuevas’ service and dedication will always be honored.”
One other driver was injured within the crash. She was taken to a hospital, however officers didn’t have additional updates on her situation.
Police arrested Ryan Dwayne Turner Jr., 22, of San Bernardino on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter whereas intoxicated and evading a peace officer inflicting demise or severe damage.
He was allegedly driving the stolen car that Cuevas and different regulation enforcement had been chasing. The Sheriff’s Division is requesting that he be held with out bail.
The crash stays beneath investigation. No different particulars had been instantly out there.
Nineteen San Bernardino County deputies and one K9 have now died within the line of obligation, together with six in traffic-related crashes.
Via the primary 9 months of 2024, in keeping with FBI information, 18 officers nationwide died in site visitors crashes: 4 whereas engaged in a pursuit, 4 whereas en path to a name, two whereas patrolling, two on site visitors stops, one whereas escorting a funeral procession and 5 deaths labeled as “other.”
These 18 deaths accounted for greater than half of the whole of 32 reported unintentional deaths by means of September 2024, the statistics present. (Fifty-four officers died because of assaults throughout that very same interval.)
From 2001 to 2015, officers had been extra prone to die from all types of on-duty unintentional deaths – falls, mistaken shootings, coaching mishaps and crashes amongst them – than assaults, in keeping with FBI information. And in that very same span, virtually two-thirds of the unintentional deaths occurred in site visitors crashes.
Cadets on the San Bernardino County sheriff’s academy bear rigorous driving coaching.
They obtain 40 hours of driver coaching, eight within the classroom and 32 behind the wheel on the Emergency Automobile Operations Heart, which contains a metropolis grid, a high-speed maneuvers monitor and a skid pan, the place drivers should put a automotive right into a skid on a water-slickened floor and pull it out.
Initially Printed: March 18, 2025 at 6:02 AM PDT
