A San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputy died after crashing into an oncoming car while chasing a stolen vehicle on Monday.
Hector Cuevas Jr., a six year veteran of the sheriff’s department, was in one of several units involved in the pursuit of a stolen vehicle in Victorville around noon on Monday. During the chase, Cuevas ran into another car that turned in front of him and his cruiser hit a light pole. He died at the scene.
The driver of the car Cuevas crashed into, 23-year-old Marcelline Demyan, was hospitalized but is expected to recover. She told KCAL News that Cuevas didn’t have his sirens on when he zoomed through a red light and struck her.
"He didn't have the siren on, he didn't have the noise on, nothing," she said. "If I seen him I would've stopped, cause I know if it's emergency we have to stop. But I didn't see him."
Sheriff Shannon Dicus told reporters the investigation into the circumstances of the crash is still ongoing.
“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 hardcore gang member to turning around and being able to talk to a child and make sure they felt safe and knew that they were protected,” Dicus said.
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The driver of the stolen car, identified as 22-year-old Ryan Turner Jr., was arrested for vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and evading a peace officer causing death or serious injury.
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