Southern California sheriff’s deputy killed in violent crash during pursuit is identified

Authorities have identified the San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputy who was killed in a violent traffic collision in Victorville on Monday as Hector Cuevas Jr. The six-year veteran of the department leaves behind a wife and two children.

The crash occurred at 11:09 a.m. at the intersection of Seneca and El Evado roads while the deputy was pursuing a stolen car in the area, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

At an afternoon news conference, Sheriff Shannon Dicus identified Cuevas as the victim and Ryan Dwayne Turner Jr., a 22-year-old resident of San Bernardino, as the suspected driver of the stolen car. Turner was arrested Monday afternoon and was set to be booked on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, evading a peace officer and causing death or serious injury, Dicus said.

Dicus said he spent time Monday with Cuevas’ family and law enforcement colleagues who described the deputy as a devout family man and a talented cop who had “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 feel safe.”

“Hector is the type of law enforcement officer that we all want to be,” Dicus said. “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, previously caused a law enforcement cruiser to collide into a citizen and had been arrested for evading police in Rialto, Dicus said. The department is recommending that he be held without bail, Dicus said.

Cuevas’ SUV appeared to be ripped in two at the scene of the crash, and a black sedan had front-end damage with deployed airbags, KNBC-TV reported.

A San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputy was involved in a major crash in Victorville on March 17, 2025, at the intersection of Seneca Road and El Evado Road.

(KTLA)

Aerial video of the scene showed what appeared to be a body covered with an American flag draped over it next to the vehicle wreckage.

The precise details of what caused the crash are unknown, and department investigators will be looking at skid marks and other evidence to put together a better picture of what happened, Dicus said. One other driver was also involved in the accident, he said.

According to reporting from KTLA, a woman in a sedan was injured and transported to a hospital in unknown condition.

At Monday’s news conference, Dicus said he “could not be more proud of Hector Cuevas. He walks the walk and walks the line and unfortunately today he gave his life, and for that we will be forever grateful as a community.”