Deputy Sheriff Hector Cuevas, Jr.

Hector Cuevas, Jr.

Deputy Sheriff Hector Cuevas was killed when his patrol car struck a pole at the intersection of El Evado and Seneca roads just before 11 a.m.

Deputy Cuevas was in pursuit of a stolen vehicle that had been reported to the department just minutes earlier. During the high-speed chase, Deputy Sheriff Cuevas' vehicle collided with another car and then a nearby power pole. The impact of the crash split the patrol vehicle in half, critically injuring Deputy Sheriff Cuevas. Although first responders rushed to administer aid, he passed away at the scene. The driver of the other vehicle was taken to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the stolen vehicle was apprehended a short time later and is in custody, charged with vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, evading a police officer, and causing death or serious injury. He had a history of evading law enforcement and a lengthy criminal record for vehicular thefts.

Deputy Sheriff Cuevas had served with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department for six years. He is survived by his wife, two children, his parents, and his brother and sister.