Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has identified the man killed with LAPD sergeant in multiple car crashes on Highway 405 this week.
The medical examiner identified the man as 34-year-old Jesus Garcia. He and Sgt. LAPD. Shiou Deng, 53, was killed after being attacked by traffic that was accessed in the Sepulveda pass.
According to the California Highway Patrol, Garcia was involved in a tragic event before 2 a.m. Monday, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Deng, who was traveling on the same highway, drove past the emergency lights to help in a police cruiser, but after exiting, he and his cruiser were hit by another vehicle.
Garcia, who was standing outside the highway, was also hit and killed in the collision. Deng was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Mario Bickham, the driver of the vehicle that attacked the cruiser and the ultimate victim, was taken to the hospital. His condition is unknown.
The fatal collapse prompted CHP to shut down the highway for hours while conducting an investigation.
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell called Deng a hero in a morning press conference after his death.
“He was there to take care of others and keep their safety at his side,” he said.
McDonald said, Dunnell said. He spent most of his career working in the agency’s psychological assessment department, which helped officials deal with the crisis call.
“He was there to take care of the most vulnerable people in our society every day,” McDonald said. “Just a great person.”
Garcia's losses also caused devastating devastating for his family. Lidia Zepeda confirmed that she was Garcia's childhood friend, and he created it GoFundMe Account to help with family funeral expenses.
On the scene, she describes Garcia as a loving son, brother, uncle and friend, “Their kindness and warmth touched everyone he met.”
Zepeda wrote: “When we look for funeral homes and make arrangements, we hope to remember his memory in a way that reflects his love and care for those around us.
Grace Toohey, an era worker, contributed to the report.
