On the morning of March 17th, around 11 a.m., 36-year-old officer Hector Cuevas Jr. from San Bernardino County, California, tragically passed away during a car chase with a car thief. The accident occurred at the intersection of Seneca Rd and El Evado Rd in Victorville. Cuevas was driving his patrol car in pursuit of a recently reported stolen vehicle when his patrol car collided with another vehicle and then struck a utility pole. The patrol car was split into two pieces, and Cuevas succumbed to his injuries on the scene, leaving behind a wife and two children.
“I truly cannot put into words the magnitude of this tragedy,” said Sheriff Shannon Dicus of the county at an afternoon press conference. “Cuevas was the kind of law enforcement officer we all aspire to be – a great protector and a great father. We will mourn his loss for a long time and support his family.”
Cuevas had six years of law enforcement experience and had been stationed in Victorville for the past three years. Victorville is located on the southwestern edge of the Mojave Desert, with Highway 15 passing through the city.
Sheriff Dicus expressed his pride in Cuevas, noting that he was a man of action who unfortunately gave his life, for which the community will forever be grateful. He mentioned that the accident is still under investigation, with investigators examining brake marks and other evidence to better understand the circumstances of the collision.
The police have already arrested the driver of the tracked vehicle, 22-year-old Ryan Dwayne Turner Jr., on charges of vehicular manslaughter due to drunk driving and evading a peace officer resulting in death or serious injury. Investigators have requested no bail for Turner.
The front of the other vehicle involved in the collision was damaged, with airbags deployed. The driver, 23-year-old Marcelline Demyan, was taken to a nearby hospital with no life-threatening injuries. Demyan stated that she was waiting to make a left turn at the intersection when her car was struck and pushed into a utility box, causing a power outage in the nearby community. She expressed sorrow for Cuevas’ family.
Around 3 p.m., a police car convoy escorted Cuevas’ body, draped with the flag, to the county coroner’s office. Along the way, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and numerous residents paid their respects. Cuevas’ brother, Joshua Cuevas, remarked, “No matter what he set his mind to, he was a legendary figure.”
Governor Newsom expressed his condolences for Officer Cuevas’ sacrifice in a news statement on the same day, offering sympathy to his family, friends, and colleagues. “His contributions to protecting and serving the community are admirable, and we will forever appreciate his service.”