The off-duty Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputy killed in a crash on Monday afternoon has been identified as a 21-year-old who graduated from the academy less than a year ago and has four relatives within the department.
Deputy Daniel V. Chavira was killed in the multi-vehicle crash that occurred around 3:17 p.m. on San Francisquito Canyon Road south of Dry Gulch Road in Santa Clarita.
Arriving first responders found three vehicles with major damage and located “multiple injured parties,” and although his name was not released, CHP stated in a press release issued Monday evening that one of the crash victims was an off-duty LASD deputy who was airlifted to Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital but died of his injuries there.
The other patients were taken to the same hospital via ambulance, but their conditions weren’t immediately disclosed.
L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna addressed the media outside the hospital on Monday night and confirmed the young deputy’s death.
“Unfortunately, we ost one of our very young deputies in an off-duty traffic collision earlier today,” said Sheriff Luna in a video released by a local radio station. “He was transported to this hospital where, unfortunately, he fought valiantly, but lost his life.”
Sheriff Luna mentioned Monday night that the deputy’s name had yet to be released at that time because “he’s got a very large family,” and on Tuesday, the sheriff’s department elaborated that four of the deceased deputy’s family members are part of LASD.
Of the four, two are his siblings; brother Rene Valencia-Chavira is a deputy at LASD’s Lancaster station and sister Nancy Alcaraz is a detective at the Palmdale station. Rene’s wife, Deputy Crystal Valencia, works with the department at the San Fernando Court and Nancy’s husband, Deputy Martin Alcaraz, works alongside his wife in Palmdale.
In addition, Deputy Chavira leaves behind his father Rodrigo and another brother, also named Rodrigo.
“Though his watch ended too soon, his legacy of service will live on through those who loved him and continue his mission,” LASD said on social media. “Rest easy, Deputy Chavira. We have the watch.”
The cause of Monday afternoon’s crash has yet to be determined.
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