Man Killed on 405 Freeway; GoFundMe Launched

Tragic Freeway Incident Claims Two Lives

A recent collision on the 405 Freeway resulted in the death of Jesus Garcia, 34. The incident also claimed the life of a Los Angeles Police Department sergeant. The tragic event occurred after a solo vehicle crash, leading to a secondary, fatal collision.

Victim Identified

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the identity of the civilian victim. Jesus Garcia died at the scene after being hit by a passing vehicle. Before the fatal event, Garcia had exited his vehicle. He had been involved in an earlier, single-car accident on the freeway’s southbound side near Moraga Drive.

LAPD Sgt. Shiou Deng was struck and severely injured while providing aid to Garcia. The sergeant, who had arrived to help, was also hit when he got out of his patrol car. He was transported to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries.

BREAKING: A civilian and an LAPD sergeant were killed in a crash on the 405 Freeway in the Brentwood neighborhood early Saturday morning. https://t.co/JpU9L709p7

— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) March 2, 2024

The driver of the third vehicle, Mario Bickham, also suffered serious injuries. Authorities have not arrested or charged him, and the investigation is ongoing.

Family Seeks Support

A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help Garcia‘s family with funeral costs. The fundraising page remembers Garcia as a “loving son, brother, uncle, and friend,” reflecting the deep impact of his loss. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 43,000 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2021 (NHTSA).

Ongoing Investigation

The events on the 405 Freeway are still under investigation. Authorities continue to examine the circumstances that led to the tragic loss of life. The community is coming together to support the families affected by this devastating incident.