Hector Cuevas Jr., a San Bernardino County sheriff’s officer, was killed in a severe traffic crash in Victorville on Monday. The six-year department veteran leaves a wife and two children.
The accident occurred at 11:09 a.m. at the intersection of Seneca and El Evado roads, when the deputy was pursuing a stolen car in the area, according to the Sheriff’s Department.
During an afternoon news conference, Sheriff Shannon Dicus named Cuevas as the victim and Ryan Dwayne Turner Jr., a 22-year-old San Bernardino resident, as the alleged driver of the stolen vehicle. Turner was arrested Monday afternoon and was expected to be jailed on accusations of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, escaping a peace officer, and causing death or serious harm, according to Dicus.
Dicus said he spent Monday with Cuevas’ family and law enforcement colleagues, who described the deputy as a devout family man and a talented cop with “the ability to go from dealing with the most hardcore gang member to turning around and being able to talk to a child and make sure they feel safe.”
“Hector is the type of law enforcement officer that we all want to be,” says Dicus. “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.”
Turner, the suspect, had previously caused a law enforcement cruiser to collide with a person and had been arrested for avoiding police in Rialto, Dicus said. According to Dicus, the department has recommended that he be held without bail.
Cuevas’ SUV appeared to be cut in half at the scene of the accident, while a black sedan sustained front-end damage and deployed airbags, according to KNBC-TV.
Aerial video of the site revealed what seemed to be a body draped in an American flag near to the vehicle wreckage.
The exact reason of the incident is unknown, but department officials will examine skid tracks and other evidence to piece together a better picture of what happened, Dicus said. He added that another driver was also engaged in the crash.
According to KTLA, a woman in a sedan was hurt and taken to the hospital in unclear condition.
At Monday’s news conference, Dicus stated that he “could not be more proud of Hector Cuevas.” He walks the walk and walks the line, and regrettably, today he offered his life, for which we will be eternally grateful as a community.”
