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Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has identified the man who was killed along with a sergeant from the Los Angeles Police Department in a multivehicle crash on the 405 highway this week.
Prosecutors identified the man as 34-year-old Jesus Garcia. He and Sergeant LAPD. Shiou Deng, 53, was killed after being hit by the incoming traffic of the Sepulveda Pass.
A tragic series of events began just before 2am Monday when Garcia was involved in a solo car accident in the southbound lane of the 405 Expressway just north of Moraga Drive in the Brentwood and Bel Air region, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Traveling on the same highway, Den was on a police cruiser when he turned off the emergency lights in the rear to provide assistance, but when he and his cruiser were struck by another vehicle.
Garcia, standing outside the highway, was also hit and killed in a collision. Den was taken to hospital, where he was declared dead.
Mario Bickham, the driver of the vehicle that struck the cruiser and ultimately the two casualties, was taken to the hospital. His condition is unknown.
A fatal crash led the CHP to close the highway for hours as it conducted an investigation.
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell called Den a hero at a press conference the morning after his death.
“He was looking after others and kept their safety in front of him,” he said.
Den had been promoted to Sergeant about two years ago, McDonnell said. He spent most of his career in the agency’s mental evaluation unit. This helps executives respond to calls for crisis.
“He cared for the most vulnerable people in our society every day,” McDonnell said. “Just a wonderful person.”
Garcia’s loss is also devastating for his family. Lydia Zepeda, who identified herself as Garcia’s childhood friend, created a GoFundMe account to support her family with funeral costs.
On the site she described Garcia as a loving son, brother, uncle and friend.
“When searching for and making arrangements for the funeral home, Zepeda wrote:
Times staff writer Grestohay contributed to this report.
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