Suspect pleads not guilty to second-degree murder in death of sheriff's deputy in Victorville crash
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (KABC) -- A man accused of driving a stolen car during a high-speed chase pleaded not guilty on Thursday in connection with the death of a sheriff's deputy who died when the pursuit ended in a Victorville crash.
Ryan Dwayne Turner Jr., a 22-year-old resident of San Bernardino, entered the plea in court after being charged with second-degree murder. He was being held without bail.
Deputy Hector Cuevas Jr., 36, died in the violent collision on Monday.
Outside the Victorville courthouse Thursday morning, family and friends of Deputy Cuevas gathered, leaning on one another for support.
They had just left the arraignment of Turner.
"I am so angry because he is going to get to live his life and we all have to try to figure out how to move forward," said Sonia Bracey, a close family friend.
She had known Cuevas for the past 20 years through her friendship with his mother.
"From Day 1 that I met him, I always said he was my son from another mother," Bracey told reporters outside the courthouse on Thursday. "Such a big smile, such a caring guy, just loved life."
"He was just that warm, kind, caring person that had nothing to say negative about anybody," Bracey said.
Bracey's sorrow spilled into anger with the knowledge Turner had two prior convictions involving stolen vehicles and high speed chases, including one that ended with an innocent person being injured just last year.
"I'm angry. I am so angry right now. I am so disappointed in our system because first of all had he been incarcerated this wouldn't have happened," said Bracey. "If he had served his time that he should have served this would not have happened."
A vigil was held Wednesday night in honor of Cuevas.
"He sacrificed -- he was the epitome of what that is, of sacrifice for his community, for his brothers and for his family," Cuevas's friend Gabriel Cannon said in a eulogy.
Cuevas is survived by his wife and two young children.
"This is not the first time that Mr. Turner has fled when he's been caught with a stolen car. In fact it seems as if each time it is what occurs that certainly factored into the idea that this is a murder case," San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson said earlier this week.
According to the Rialto Police Department, Turner has previously been arrested for evading police and causing another crash involving an officer. He also has a lengthy record for vehicular thefts.
His next court appearance is scheduled for April 8 at the Victorville Courthouse.
