Los Angeles driver charged with murder after 112 mph crash kills LAPD sergeant and Whole Foods worker
Mario Bickham, 36, faces two counts of second-degree murder after a 112 mph crash on the 405 Freeway killed LAPD Sgt. Shiou Deng and Jesus Garcia on June 23, 2025.
DHS employee charged with murder over fatal 112 mph 405 Freeway crash
A Los Angeles driver with a lengthy record of speeding violations has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder after his Nissan sedan slammed into an LAPD sergeant and a Whole Foods worker at more than 112 miles per hour on the 405 Freeway, according to NY Post Metro.
Mario Bickham, 36, of Los Angeles was formally charged Monday in connection with the June 23, 2025, crash that killed LAPD Sgt. Shiou Deng, 53, and Jesus Garcia, 34. Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced the charges.
Crash killed two men responding to a roadside incident near Getty Center
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said Deng had just stepped out of his patrol cruiser to assist Garcia, whose vehicle had already been struck by a separate car, when Bickham's sedan hit them both at approximately 2 a.m. near the Getty Center.
Garcia, who had finished a late shift, was pronounced dead at the scene. Deng — a 26-year LAPD veteran — died at a nearby hospital shortly afterward.
"This was an absolute tragedy, because it was a preventable crash caused by a conscious disregard of the safety of others," McDonnell said.
Hochman noted that Deng's cruiser had its emergency lights activated at the moment of impact, and that dozens of other drivers on the freeway slowed or moved aside in response to those lights before the collision occurred.
Bickham had been cited twice for speeds exceeding 100 mph
Bickham's driving history spans more than 15 years of speeding violations, the DA said. He had been cited on at least two separate occasions for exceeding 100 miles per hour — including once in the month immediately before the fatal crash, when he was ticketed for traveling over 105 mph. He failed to appear in court for that citation, as he had for several prior speeding citations, Hochman said.
According to his Facebook profile, Bickham works at the Department of Homeland Security. His social media accounts showed frequent posts of gym photos and tattoos alongside an apparent interest in nightlife and Egyptian iconography.
Fundraiser launched from hospital bed after deadly crash
Bickham's legs were injured in the collision and he was hospitalized for treatment. While recovering, he photographed his bandaged limbs and posted the image to a GoFundMe titled "Support Mario's Road to Recovery," co-organized by a friend with Bickham listed as co-organizer. The campaign aimed to raise $5,000 to cover hospital bills and replace his totaled vehicle.
"Despite these challenges, Mario's spirits remain incredibly high," the fundraiser stated. After approximately a year, the campaign had collected $1,820 from 27 donors and remained active at the time of the charges.
Arrested Monday morning, prosecutors seek no bail
Officers took Bickham into custody Monday morning as he was heading to his vehicle, Hochman said. Prosecutors intend to request he be held without bail at his upcoming arraignment.
Hochman pointed to a prior case as precedent for charging speeding drivers with murder: the 2024 conviction of socialite Rebecca Grossman, who was speeding when she struck and killed two boys, and is currently serving a sentence of 15 years to life.
"If you want to engage in fast speeds, especially speeds over 100 miles an hour, that is a fast track to a murder charge," Hochman said. "So, don't do it."
Source: NY Post Metro