A veteran Los Angeles police sergeant and a motorist in his 30s whose truck broke down were killed early Monday morning when the sergeant stopped on the southbound San Diego (405) Freeway to assist the man and both were struck by another vehicle. The deadly multi-vehicle crash shut down the southbound San Diego (405) Freeway in the Brentwood area for the duration of the morning rush hour.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass identified the sergeant as Shiou Deng, 53, a 27-year Los Angeles Police Department veteran. “The men and women of LAPD put their lives on the line for Angelenos each and every day,” Bass said. “Sgt. Deng served L.A. for more than 25 years. His last act was one of service — putting the safety and wellbeing of others above all else. … My thoughts are with Sgt. Deng’s family during this devastating time.”
The crash was reported to the California Highway Patrol at 1:58 a.m. on the southbound San Diego Freeway just north of Moraga Drive where a silver truck was blocking the HOV lane. LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said the sergeant, who achieved his current rank two years ago and was assigned to the LAPD’s West Los Angeles Division, came upon the disabled vehicle and stopped, activating the rear lights on his patrol car to ward off traffic. The sergeant exited his vehicle to assist the other motorist, when both were struck by another vehicle.
The motorist died at the scene, Los Angeles Fire Department spokeswoman Lyndsey Lantz said. The sergeant was taken by ambulance to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
McDonnell, Bass and a host of LAPD officers gathered at the hospital to honor Deng. The chief hailed Deng as “exceptionally funny” and “caring to a fault” for the officers under his command. McDonnell said Deng “tried to make the situation we face as good as it can be for his officers and for the people we have the privilege to serve in our society.”
McDonnell said Deng was a true leader. “He died a hero,” McDonnell said. “He was out there caring for others, putting their safety before his own.”
Governor Gavin Newsom offered condolences, noting Deng’s 17 years with
the LAPD’s Mental Evaluation Unit. “We join his family, friends, and fellow officers in mourning, and in honoring his memory,” Newsom said. “May his service never be forgotten.”
The body of the deceased motorist, who was not immediately identified, remained along the left side of the freeway hours after the crash until the medical examiner’s personnel arrived. Investigators were carefully collecting evidence, including the vehicles involved.
The CHP issued a SigAlert at 2:22 a.m. shutting down the southbound lanes at Getty Center Drive and the Skirball and Sepulveda Boulevard on-ramps. The northbound lanes were closed at about 3 a.m. as well as the Moraga Drive on-ramp.
Northbound lanes reopened at 4:23 a.m., but southbound lanes remained closed until 12:17 p.m. Prior to the reopening, traffic was diverted at the Ventura (101) Freeway. Southbound freeway traffic was at a standstill for the duration of the morning commute.
Around 9 a.m. Monday, dozens of LAPD officers gathered at a Westwood hospital for a procession escorting Deng’s body to the Medical Examiner’s office in Boyle Heights. Flags above city buildings will be lowered to half-staff in Deng’s honor, Bass said. The governor later announced that flags at the State Capitol and Capitol Annex Swing Space would also be lowered to half-staff to honor Deng, who is survived by his wife and parents.