A Los Angeles man accused of speeding at more than 112 miles per hour and crashing into an LAPD officer and a Whole Foods worker set up an online fundraiser for himself after the deadly wreck, asking for money to cover hospital bills and a new car, according to the New York Post. The said fundraiser has now been deleted.
Mario Bickham, 36, was charged Monday with two counts of second-degree murder in connection with the June 23, 2025 crash on the 405 Freeway, according to Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman. The charges name LAPD Sgt. Shiou Deng and Garcia, 34, as the victims.
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said Bickham was driving his Nissan sedan at more than 112 miles per hour when he struck Deng, who had reportedly just stepped out of his cruiser to help Garcia.
Officer had stepped out to help stranded Whole Foods worker when struck
According to police, Garcia, who had just finished his shift at Whole Foods, was stopped near the Getty Center after his vehicle had been hit by another car shortly before the fatal crash, which happened around 2 a.m. Garcia was pronounced dead at the scene.
Deng, 53, a 26-year veteran of the LAPD, had reportedly exited his cruiser to assist Garcia when he was struck. Police said he was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital soon after.
McDonnell described the crash as preventable. “This was an absolute tragedy, because it was a preventable crash caused by a conscious disregard of the safety of others,” he said, according to the DA’s office.
Hochman said Bickham, who, according to his Facebook profile, works at the Department of Homeland Security, had a documented history of speeding. Bickham had been cited for speeding multiple times over the past 15 years, including twice for driving in excess of 100 miles per hour, Hochman said.
One of those citations, for exceeding 105 miles per hour, came just a month before the fatal crash, according to Hochman. Bickham failed to appear in court for that citation, the DA said, and had also failed to appear for a number of prior speeding citations. Other recent crashes have also drawn scrutiny over driver behavior, including a case involving a father who fell asleep at the wheel with his children in the car.
Bickham’s legs were reportedly injured in the crash, and he was taken to a hospital for treatment. While hospitalized, Bickham reportedly photographed his bandaged legs and posted the image to an online fundraiser seeking $5,000 to help cover his hospital bills and pay for a new car after his was totaled.
The fundraiser, titled “Support Mario’s Road to Recovery,” was reportedly organized by a friend, with Bickham listed as a co-organizer. The page states that Bickham would face months of recovery and financial strain because of his totaled vehicle. “Despite these challenges, Mario’s spirits remain incredibly high,” the fundraiser states.
Hochman said Deng’s cruiser had its emergency lights illuminated at the time of the crash, and that other drivers were able to see the lights and avoided the area near the freeway median. Officers took Bickham into custody Monday morning as he was walking to his vehicle, according to Hochman. Prosecutors said they intend to seek to have Bickham held without bail at his upcoming arraignment. High-speed crashes involving deadly outcomes have drawn wider attention recently, including a fatal high-speed Tesla crash in Texas that was also linked to excessive speed.
Hochman noted that his office has pursued murder charges against speeding drivers in the past, pointing to the 2024 conviction of Rebecca Grossman, who was found guilty after speeding and killing two boys and is currently serving a sentence of 15 years to life in prison.
“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.”
The case remains pending as Bickham awaits arraignment, according to the DA’s office.
