A man accused of causing a pursuit crash that killed a San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputy on Monday will face murder and other criminal charges, the San Bernardino DA announced. Amber Frias reports for the NBC4 News at 4 p.m. on March 19, 2025.
A San Bernardino man accused of causing a pursuit crash that killed a San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputy on Monday will face murder and other criminal charges, authorities announced Wednesday.
Ryan Turner, 22, drove a stolen car up to 100 mph on surface streets in Victorville and ran at least four red lights, according to San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson.
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Deputy Hector Cuevas, Jr. died at the scene of the crash in the high desert community. Video showed a patrol SUV split in two and debris scattered near the intersection of Seneca and El Evado roads.
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A black sedan in the intersection appeared to have front-end damage with airbags deployed inside the car.
Turner, who will be arraigned in person in a Victorville courtroom on Thursday, is facing 15 years to life, Anderson said.
“We filed murder charges against Ryan Turner as it relates to the death of Deputy Cuevas as a result of reckless indifference of driving that was displayed on Monday,” Anderson said during a news conference in front of the Victorville station where Deputy Cuevas worked for three years.
“It’s the third time we allege (Turner) would be guilty of stealing a car,” the district attorney explained, adding the pursuit lasted for about 9 minutes.
Accusing Ryan of fleeing authorities every time he was caught with a stolen car, Anderson said the suspect’s criminal history factored into the charges.
“It’s no mystery that a vehicle can turn into a weapon, and it can lead to death. And that’s what it did in this particular case.”
When Turner was taken into custody on Monday, he had been out of prison for several months for another high-speed crash involving a stolen vehicle, according to the Rialto Police Department.
In January 2024, Turner tried to run away from police, driving a stolen car up to 90 mph on surface streets in Rialto. He caused an officer to collide with another vehicle at the intersection of Foothill Boulevard and Meridian Avenue, according to police.
Although Turner received 16 months in county prison, he was released from custody in October 2024, serving eight months of his sentence, the Rialto Police Department added.
Meanwhile, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department saw outpouring support from communities in Southern California and across the country, Sheriff Dicus said.
Dozens of people gathered Tuesday night at the scene of the crash to mourn the 36-year-old deputy. Flowers, candles and other items were left in tribute to the six-year member of the department who was remembered as a stand-up individual whose death is a deep loss for the community.
He is survived by his wife, two young children, his parents and his siblings.
After the crash, a procession of law enforcement officers escorted the body of Cuevas to the coroner's office in San Bernardino. The procession passed through the parking lot of the Victorville Police Station, which is about 1 mile east of the crash location.
Firefighters on top of two fire engines parked on a freeway overpass saluted as the procession passed.
Victorville contracts with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department for police services.
