A San Bernardino sheriff’s deputy was killed in a horrific crash Monday that split his patrol vehicle in two while pursuing a suspected car thief, according to police.
Married father of two. Hector Cuevas Jr., 36, was pronounced dead at the scene after colliding with a third vehicle and crashing into a light pole, according to reports.
Sheriff Shannon Dicus described Cuevas as “the type of law enforcement officer that we all want to be.”
“Hector was described as a devout family man and by his law enforcement partners a cop’s cop who has the ability to go between dealing with the most hard core gang member to turning around and being able to talk to a child and making sure they felt safe and knew that they were protected,” Dicus said during a press conference.
Deputies saw the stolen vehicle and attempted to pull it over at 11 a.m., but the driver, Ryan Turner, 22, refused to stop, sparking a frenetic pursuit involving at least two police vehicles, according to the sheriff’s office.
Turner stopped the car and fled on foot before being apprehended and arrested.
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He is expected to be charged with vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, escaping a peace officer, and inflicting death or serious harm, according to the top cop.
According to Dicus, an investigation will reveal further information regarding the events that led up to the incident.
Images from the scene captured by KABC and KCAL showed Cuevas’ truck sliced in half, with one half close to the light pole and the other several yards down the road.
Dicus said the female driver of the third automobile involved sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Cuevas is survived by his wife, two children, parents, a brother, and sister.
Authorities are anticipated to seek that Turner be denied bail at a subsequent court appearance.
Reference: San Bernardino sheriff’s deputy killed after police vehicle splits in two during car chase
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