LOS ANGELES — Mario Joseph Bickham, 36, was charged with two counts of murder in a criminal complaint filed on a Monday in June 2026. The charges relate to the deaths of Los Angeles Police Department Sgt. Shiou Deng and Jesus Garcia, which occurred in a collision on June 23, 2025.

Prosecutors allege Bickham was traveling at 112 mph near the Getty Center exit around 2 a.m. when he struck the victims. Sgt. Deng had exited his vehicle to assist Garcia when he was hit. Deng was pronounced dead at a hospital shortly after the collision. Garcia, 34, was driving home from a shift at Whole Foods when his vehicle was struck by a hit-and-run driver.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman stated that Bickham's driving history contributed to the decision to file murder charges. "This is not an individual who all of a sudden woke up one day and this was the first time he ever hit a speed over 100 miles per hour," Hochman said. A California Highway Patrol officer previously cited Bickham for driving at 105 mph in May 2025. Bail motion documents show Bickham had been involved in multiple car accidents since 2014, but records indicate he has no other criminal history.

California Highway Patrol investigators spent months reconstructing the accident to determine Bickham's speed. CHP Southern Division Chief Chris Margaris said, "This was an absolute tragedy because it was a preventable crash caused by a conscious disregard for the safety of others." Margaris also stated that Bickham's speed allowed him to cover a distance of almost half a football field every second.

Sgt. Deng served 26 years with the Los Angeles Police Department and was assigned to the LAPD's Mental Evaluation Unit for much of his career. He also previously served as a gang officer in southern Los Angeles. LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said of Deng, "He was known for putting others before himself and never seeking recognition and always showing up for those who needed help." Deng is survived by his wife and stepdaughter and was the primary caretaker for his elderly parents at the time of his death. If convicted, Bickham could face life in prison.