Victorville, CA (March 17, 2025) – San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputy Hector Cuevas Jr. was killed in a violent crash Monday morning while pursuing a stolen vehicle. The six-year department veteran leaves behind a wife and two children.
Incident Details: According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, the crash occurred at 11:09 a.m. at the intersection of Seneca and El Evado roads. Cuevas was in pursuit of a stolen Chevrolet Tahoe when his patrol SUV was involved in a major collision. The impact was so severe that his vehicle was torn in two. A black sedan also sustained front-end damage, and its driver, a woman, was hospitalized with unknown injuries.
Authorities arrested Ryan Dwayne Turner Jr., 22, the suspected driver of the stolen Tahoe. Turner is facing charges of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, evading a peace officer, and causing death or serious injury. Officials have requested that he be held without bail, citing a history of prior police evasions.
Investigation and Legal Considerations: Fatal crashes involving high-speed pursuits raise serious legal and policy questions. Investigators will likely analyze road conditions, pursuit policies, and potential negligence in order to determine liability. The family of Deputy Cuevas may have grounds for a wrongful death claim if evidence suggests reckless actions by the suspect directly led to the fatal crash.
My deepest condolences go out to the family of Deputy Hector Cuevas Jr. and the entire San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
Source:Los Angeles Times