BRENTWOOD/WESTWOOD—On Monday, June 29, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced that the speeding driver who struck on-duty Los Angeles Police Department Sgt. Shiou Lih Deng and stranded motorist Jesús Arturo Garcia on the 405 Freeway last year was charged with murder in the deaths of both men. Sgt. Deng was 53 years old and served the LAPD for over 26 years.
“This was a complex investigation, completed by the California Highway Patrol Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team, which took just under a year to complete,” said California Highway Patrol Southern Division Chief Chris Margaris. “Our hearts remain with the families, friends, and colleagues of LAPD Sergeant Shiou Deng and Mr. Jesus Garcia who lost their lives. We hope this report provides answers and reflects the California Highway Patrol’s unwavering commitment to a thorough, objective investigation.”
“Sergeant Deng dedicated his life to serving others, and on that tragic morning, he made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell. “Our thoughts remain with his family and all those who loved him. I want to thank the California Highway Patrol investigators whose dedication and persistence led to today’s arrest. We also appreciate the partnership of the District Attorney’s Office as this case moves through the judicial process. We remain steadfast in our commitment to pursuing justice while honoring Sergeant Deng’s extraordinary legacy of service.”
Mario Joseph Bickham, 36, of Hawthorne was charged with two felony counts of second-degree murder.
At approximately 1:54 a.m. on June 23, 2025, Jesús Garcia, 34, was driving home from work on I-405 south when his pickup truck was struck by an unknown driver near the Getty Center just before the Sunset Boulevard exit. Garcia’s vehicle became disabled, blocking the HOV lane and the adjacent traffic lane.
A few minutes later, at approximately 2:01 a.m., Sgt. Deng spotted the disabled truck and Garcia. To aid a stranded motorist who was in a particularly vulnerable position, Sgt. Deng activated his emergency lights and stopped his marked Los Angeles Police Department patrol car. The emergency lights remained on throughout the incident. Sgt. Deng got out of his vehicle to assist Garcia.
At approximately 2:04 a.m., the defendant, driving his sedan alone in the HOV lane, slammed into Sgt. Deng’s LAPD patrol vehicle, the disabled truck, Sgt. Deng and Garcia. It is alleged that five seconds before the crash, defendant was driving at 112.5 mph. Sgt. Deng and Garcia died from the impact, and the defendant sustained serious injuries.
The speed limit in this section of the highway was clearly posted as 65 mph. An arraignment date was expected Monday afternoon. The prosecution is requesting the court deny bail or in the alternative set bail at the scheduled amount of $4 million.
If convicted as charged, Bickham faces up to 15 years to life in state prison for each victim.
By Danny Jones