San Bernardino Deputy Killed in High-Speed Chase With Drunk Driver
On March 17, 2025, what started as a routine traffic stop in Victorville, California, spiraled into a high-speed chase with devastating consequences. San Bernardino County Sheriff's Deputy Hector Cuevas Jr., 36, lost his life in pursuit of 22-year-old Ryan Dwayne Turner Jr., a suspect driving an allegedly stolen vehicle.
The Chase That Turned Tragic
According to authorities, deputies spotted Turner Jr. near Mojave Drive and Amargosa Road and attempted to pull him over. Instead of stopping, Turner Jr. hit the gas, leading law enforcement on a pursuit.
As Cuevas raced after him, his patrol vehicle collided with another car at the intersection of El Evado and Seneca roads. The impact was catastrophic — his vehicle was torn in half, taking down power lines and leaving a neighborhood in the dark. Tragically, Cuevas succumbed to his injuries on the scene, while the driver of the other vehicle, 23-year-old Marcelline Deyman, was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
Authorities later confirmed that Turner Jr. was intoxicated during the chase. He was arrested and now faces multiple charges, including vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and evading a peace officer causing death.
A Devoted Family Man and Community Protector
Cuevas wasn't just a deputy — he was a husband, a father of two young children, a mentor, and a man with a heart as big as his presence. According to KTLA, Sheriff Shannon Dicus described him as "the type of law enforcement officer we all want to be, a great and grand protector."
Beyond the badge, Cuevas left an indelible mark on his community. He worked with at-risk youth, mentoring students at Hesperia Community Day School and coaching football at his alma mater, Carter High School in Rialto, California.
As a football coach, he had a gift for making kids believe in themselves. "He simply loved football," said Alex Pierce, a fellow coach, as reported by the Victorville Daily Press. "He just loved helping kids. Being a mentor to them on and off the field. He just wanted every kid to be better by being a positive role model in their lives. The kids really gravitated to him and related to him because he played at their school and went on to play college ball."
Honoring a Teammate Under the Stadium Lights
Cuevas' passion for football extended beyond high school fields. He was a founding member of the San Bernardino Spartans, a semi-professional football team in the National Public Safety Football League. This league, made up of first responders, plays for charity — and for each other.
On March 22, 2025, just days after Cuevas' passing, his team honored him the best way they knew how — on the field. In an emotional pregame ceremony, his teammates carried his No. 1 jersey onto the field as his family watched from the sidelines. A flyover paid tribute to the fallen deputy, and when the Spartans took the field for the first play, they lined up with just 10 players — leaving a space where Cuevas should have been.
Despite the somber start, the Spartans dominated their season opener against the LAPD Centurions, winning 34-0. "We know that Hector would have said, 'Why the hell are you crying about me? We have a game to win,'" said Mike Yeun, his longtime friend and teammate, as reported by the Victorville Daily Press.
Cuevas was more than just a player — he was the team’s backbone, the guy who could rally spirits with a joke or a perfectly-timed bit of smack talk. "He made us all feel like nobody could beat us," Yeun said, according to the Victorville Daily Press. "He was that guy."
A Final Salute
In the days following his passing, Cuevas was honored with a solemn procession. Law enforcement officers lined the streets as his body was transported, draped in an American flag. Citizens of San Bernardino stood in quiet tribute, reflecting on the hero they had lost.
Governor Gavin Newsom summed it up best, as reported by PEOPLE: "His dedication to protecting and serving his community was remarkable, and we are eternally grateful for his service."
References: Sheriff's Deputy and Dad of 2 Killed After His Patrol Vehicle Splits in Half During Stolen Car Chase | Remembering Hector Cuevas Jr., a man who "simply loved football' and serving his community | Southern California deputy killed in violent pursuit crash identified
