The motorcycle rider accused of killing a sheriff’s deputy before leading officers on a high-speed chase that ended in a gnarly caught-on-video wreck in Southern California has been identified.
Angelo Jose Saldivar, 47, crashed his motorcycle while fleeing cops after allegedly shooting a deputy who responded to a domestic violence call, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said.
The slain officer — 28-year-old Andrew Nunez — was shot in the head and pronounced dead after arriving at a hospital, leaving behind a pregnant wife and 2-year-old daughter.
Nunez and a partner had responded to a report of an armed man threatening a woman in the town of Rancho Cucamonga.
Saldival immediately turned his gun on Nunez, shot him in the head, and then escaped on a motorcycle, speeding down the freeway at speeds up to 170 miles per hour.
The chase ended when he careened into an unmarked police car that cut him off.
“A narcotics deputy in an unmarked Sheriff’s Department vehicle conducted a pursuit intervention technique and collided with the suspect,” SBCSD said.
Saldivar flew off his bike and slid on the ground before being swarmed by officers. He was flown via helicopter to a nearby hospital and is in stable condition.
Charges will likely be filed against Salvidar on Tuesday night.
San Bernardino District Attorney Jason Anderson said he’s looking at the case as murder of a peace officer.
Nunez leaves behind his wife, who was pregnant with their second child, a 2-year-old daughter, his mother and four brothers and sisters, Sheriff Shannon Dicus announced in a press conference on Monday.
“We’re embedded in sorrow,” Dicus told reporters.
Nunez was a six-year veteran with the department, the sheriff added.
“Deputy Nunez served with unwavering commitment, courage, and deep compassion for the community he vowed to protect,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
“His bravery and sacrifice reflect a life dedicated to safeguarding others, even at the greatest cost. Such devotion will remain forever etched in our hearts,” cops wrote.
San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson said his office intends to look into charging the suspect with the murder of a peace officer.
The suspect is in stable condition in an area hospital, Dicus said. He has no prior criminal record, the DA’s office told CBS News.
The investigation into the incident remains ongoing. Officers were waiting to interview the suspect as of Monday afternoon.
