Sheriff’s Deputy and Dad of 2 Killed After His Patrol Vehicle Splits in Half During Stolen Car Chase

• Deputy Hector Cuevas Jr., of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, died on Monday, March 17 during a car chase of a stolen car
• The deputy collided with another vehicle while chasing 22-year-old Ryan Dwayne Turner Jr., a suspect in a stolen car, the sheriff’s department shared
• Turner was subsequently caught and taken into custody, while 23-year-old Marcelline Demyan, the driver of the other vehicle, was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries

A San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputy has died after being involved in a car chase.

On Monday, March 17, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department revealed that Deputy Hector Cuevas, Jr., 36, was killed after his vehicle collided with another while chasing 22-year-old Ryan Dwayne Turner Jr, a suspect driving a stolen car. 

“On Monday, March 17, 2025, at about 10:58 a.m., deputies from the Victorville Station observed a stolen vehicle near Mojave Drive and Amargosa Road, in Victorville,” police said in a news release. “Deputies attempted a traffic stop but the suspect, Ryan Turner, failed to yield and a pursuit ensued.”

“During the pursuit, Deputy Hector Cuevas, Jr. was involved in a traffic collision with another vehicle,” the release continued. “Cuevas succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The female driver of the other vehicle was transported to a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.”

Authorities say Turner stopped the car at El Evado Road and Zuni Lane before fleeing on foot.

However, he “was subsequently caught and taken into custody.”

“The Sheriff’s Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) is conducting the investigation to determine the cause of the accident,” the release concluded.

Footage from the scene shared by local media outlets KABC and KCAL showed Cuevas Jr.’s patrol vehicle cut in half. The outlets reported that Cuevas Jr.’s car hit a light pole before splitting into two.

During a press conference, Sheriff Shannon Dicus confirmed that the suspect was arrested for vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, as well as evading a peace officer and causing death or serious injury. “[He] will be seeking no bail from our judges,” Dicus added.

Dicus also said that Turner had previously been involved in a police chase and also caused another officer to collide with a member of the public.

The sheriff called Monday’s collision “tragic and horrific” and shared that Cuevas Jr. leaves behind a wife and two children, along with his parents and two siblings. “He was a devout family man,” Dicus added.

While the exact circumstances surrounding the collision are unknown, Dicus said, 23-year-old Marcelline Demyan, the driver of the other vehicle involved in the collision, told CBS News Los Angeles that her car was hit after turning left at a traffic light.

The impact caused her to veer into a power box, which left the nearby neighborhood without power.

“He didn’t have the siren on, he didn’t have the noise on, nothing,” Demyan told the outlet. “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.”

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

According to the outlet, Demyan suffered lacerations in the crash, including one on her chest from her seatbelt. 

She told the outlet that she was experiencing pain from the crash and felt sympathy for Cuevas Jr.’s family.

“Jennifer and I are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Deputy Cuevas. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and colleagues as they navigate this unimaginable time,” Calif. Gov Gavin Newsom shared in a press release. “His dedication to protecting and serving his community was remarkable, and we are eternally grateful for his service.”

According to the release, Cuevas Jr. was a six-year veteran of law enforcement and had been assigned to the Victorville Station for the past three years.

He previously worked as an officer at the Upland Police Department.