The man who died in a multi-vehicle collision on the 405 Freeway this week, along with a sergeant from the Los Angeles Police Department, has been identified by the Los Angeles County medical examiner.
Jesus Garcia, 34, was the man’s identity as determined by the medical examiner. In the Sepulveda Pass, he and LAPD Sgt. Shiou Deng, 53, were killed when they were hit by oncoming traffic.
According to the California Highway Patrol, Garcia was engaged in a solo vehicle collision on the southbound lanes of the 405 Freeway, just north of Moraga Drive, in the Brentwood and Bel Air region just before two in the morning on Monday, which set off the sad chain of events.
While driving on the same freeway, Deng stopped his police cruiser with his rear emergency lights on to provide aid. However, as he got out, he and his cruiser were hit by another car.
California
At a press conference early on Monday, Mayor Karen Bass declared, “This is a sad day for our city.” While trying to save others, the sergeant sacrificed his life.
Garcia was also hit and died in the crash while he was standing outdoors on the road. After being brought to a hospital, Deng was declared deceased.
The driver of the car that hit the cruiser and eventually the two people, Mario Bickham, was sent to a hospital. We don’t know his condition.
CHP closed the freeway for many hours while it investigated the deadly collision.
In a morning news conference after Deng’s passing, Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell referred to him as a hero.
He claimed that he was out there helping people and prioritizing their safety before his own.
According to McDonnell, Deng was elevated to sergeant around two years prior. He worked in the agency’s Mental Evaluation Unit, which assists officers in responding to crisis situations, for the majority of his tenure.
According to McDonnell, he was out there every day helping the most disadvantaged members of our society. Just a wonderful person.
Garcia’s family has also been devastated by his passing. To assist the family with funeral costs, Lidia Zepeda, who claimed to be Garcia’s childhood friend, set up a GoFundMe page.
She wrote on the website that Garcia was a devoted brother, uncle, friend, and son whose warmth and kindness warmed everyone he came into contact with.
Zepeda stated, “We want to honor his memory in a way that reflects the love and care he gave to those around him as we search for a funeral home and make arrangements.”
This report was written by Grace Toohey, a Times staff writer.
