A tragic accident on the 405 Freeway in Los Angeles has left two people dead, including a Los Angeles Police Department sergeant. The victims have been identified as 53-year-old Sgt. Shiou Deng and 34-year-old Jesus Garcia.
The crash occurred early Monday morning, just before 2 a.m. Garcia was involved in a solo car accident on the southbound lanes of the freeway, near Moraga Drive in the Brentwood and Bel Air area. After his vehicle was disabled, Sgt. Deng, who was driving on the same freeway, stopped to help. He turned on his emergency lights and exited his cruiser to assist Garcia.
While Deng was outside his vehicle, another car struck both him and Garcia. Tragically, both men were killed as a result of the collision. Sgt. Deng was taken to a hospital but did not survive his injuries.
The driver of the vehicle that hit them, identified as Mario Bickham, was also injured and taken to a hospital. His current condition is not known.
The California Highway Patrol closed the freeway for several hours to conduct an investigation into the accident. During a news conference, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell praised Sgt. Deng as a hero. He noted that Deng had dedicated much of his career to helping vulnerable individuals through the LAPD’s Mental Evaluation Unit.
The loss of Garcia has been deeply felt by his family and friends. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to assist with funeral expenses. Friends describe Garcia as a kind and warm person, loved by all who knew him.
This tragic event highlights the dangers that law enforcement officers face while serving the community. As the investigation continues, both families are left to mourn their loved ones.