In a late afternoon press conference, San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus identified Hector Cuevas Jr., a six-year veteran of the department, as the deputy who was tragically killed during a high-speed pursuit crash Monday.   The deadly pursuit was initiated when the suspect, now identif ied as Ryan Dwayne Turner Jr., 22, a resident of San Bernardino, failed to yield in a vehicle that had been reported stolen, officials said.   While the exact cause of the crash is unknown, Deputy Cuevas, 36, collided with another vehicle shortly before 11 a.m. at the intersection of El Evado and Seneca roads - the force of the impact splitting his patrol cruiser in half and taking out nearby power lines.   A female in a small black sedan caught in the collision was also injured and rushed to the hospital in unknown condition.   Cuevas, who had been assigned to the Sheriff’s Victorville Station for the past three years, sadly, died at the scene.   Aerial images captured by Sky5 showed his body covered with an American flag as the medical examiner prepared to transport his remains.   Hector Cuevas Jr., a sheriff's deputy with the San Bernardino County Sheriff killed in a pursuit crash on March 17, 2025. (SBSD)A San Bernardino County Sheriff's Deputy was involved in a serious crash near Victorville on March 17, 2025. (KTLA)A San Bernardino County Sheriff's Deputy was involved in a serious crash near Victorville on March 17, 2025. (KTLA)A San Bernardino County Sheriff's Deputy was involved in a serious crash near Victorville on March 17, 2025. (KTLA)A San Bernardino County Sheriff's Deputy was involved in a serious crash near Victorville on March 17, 2025. (KTLA) A motorcade and police cruisers surrounded the medical examiner’s vehicle, creating a procession while citizens of San Bernardino stood on the street in tribute to the fallen deputy.   Cuevas leaves behind a wife, two children, his parents and a sister and brother.   Dicus said his family and colleagues described him as a devout family man and a cop’s cop, someone who could deal with the hardest of gang members and then turn around and make sure a scared child felt safe and protected.   “I have no words to describe this tragedy,” Dicus said at the press event. “Hector was the type of law enforcement officer we all want to be, a great and grand protector.”   In the meantime, Turner, who reportedly has a previous record in Rialto of fleeing and injuring a deputy, was taken into custody and will be booked for vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and evading a police officer while causing serious injury or death.   Dicus added that they are asking the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office that the 22-year-old be held without bail.   In statement released Monday evening, Governor Gavin Newsom said: “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. His dedication to protecting and serving his community was remarkable, and we are eternally grateful for his service.” The governor stated that flags at the State Capitol and Capitol Annex Swing Space will be flown at half-staff in honor of Deputy Cuevas. ...read more read less