LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles community is mourning the tragic deaths of Jesus Garcia, 34, and LAPD Sergeant Shiou Deng, 53, both of whom were killed early Monday morning in a devastating crash on the 405 Freeway. The incident unfolded after Sgt. Deng stopped his patrol vehicle to render aid to Garcia, who had been involved in a single-vehicle collision.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the crash occurred just after 2 a.m. on June 23 in the southbound lanes of the 405 Freeway, just north of Moraga Drive. Garcia was driving a Toyota pickup that became disabled across the high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) and No. 1 lanes.
As Garcia stood outside his vehicle, LAPD Sgt. Shiou Deng arrived at the scene in a marked patrol SUV, activated his emergency lights, and stopped behind the disabled truck to assist. Moments later, a Nissan sedan driven by Mario Bickham slammed into the rear of Deng’s vehicle, striking both Deng and Garcia, who were standing in the traffic lanes.
Garcia died at the scene. Sgt. Deng was transported by paramedics to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Westwood, where he succumbed to his injuries. Bickham was also hospitalized, but his current condition has not been released.
Garcia’s family described him as “a loving son, brother, uncle, and friend” whose kindness and warmth left an impression on everyone he met. A GoFundMe page launched in his memory has garnered widespread support as loved ones grieve the sudden loss.
Sgt. Shiou Deng was a 26-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department, most recently serving in the West Los Angeles Division. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant two years ago and spent the majority of his career — 17 years — with the department’s Mental Evaluation Unit, where he worked closely with the city’s most vulnerable residents.
“He was an exceptional guy — a true leader and a true hero,” LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said in a statement. “He activated his patrol lights to slow traffic and protect those involved in the crash. He didn’t hesitate to help. That’s who he was.”
Both men are being remembered as selfless individuals — one trying to recover from a crash, the other responding with compassion and duty. The incident has sent shockwaves through the LAPD and greater Los Angeles community, with tributes pouring in for the fallen officer and the Good Samaritan he sought to help.
The crash remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. No arrests or charges have been announced.