Crime & Safety
Deputy Placed On Leave Following Deadly Crash In Sonoma County: Report
The deputy was attempting to catch two speeding vehicles when his K-9 SUV collided with the victim's car, police said.
SONOMA COUNTY, CA — A Sonoma County sheriff's deputy was placed on paid administrative leave earlier this March after a crash in Santa Rosa that killed a 78-year-old driver, according to a report by KTVU.
K-9 Deputy Samuel Camarena Cruz was placed on leave earlier this month, Sgt. Juan Valencia told KTVU.
The fatal incident occurred on Oct. 5, 2025, in Santa Rosa, as the deputy, driving a Dodge Durango, was attempting to catch two speeding vehicles, police said. Surveillance video obtained by KTVU showed the deputy's SUV T-boning a Ford Fusion driven by 78-year-old Robert Cydear on Santa Rosa Avenue near Todd Road, just after Cydear pulled out of a Friedman's Home Improvement parking lot.
Find out what's happening in Healdsburgfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Cydear, a military veteran, later died at a hospital, police said. The deputy and his Belgian malinois K-9 sustained minor injuries.
Read the full story at KTVU.
Find out what's happening in Healdsburgfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
