TSA Agent Pleads Not Guilty in Deadly 405 Freeway Crash

Mario Joseph Bickham faces murder charges after a high-speed collision killed an LAPD sergeant and another driver.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Law Enforcement

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a concrete overpass against a dark sky, evoking the gravity of a fatal freeway collision. — TSA agent Mario Joseph Bickham entered a not guilty plea to murder charges following a 2025 freeway crash that killed two people. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Mario Joseph Bickham has entered a not guilty plea to two murder charges stemming from a 2026 crash on the San Diego (405) Freeway. The collision at 2 a.m. on June 23, 2025, resulted in the deaths of 53-year-old LAPD Sgt. Shiou Deng and 34-year-old Jesus Garcia.

Why it matters

The case highlights the dangers of high-speed incidents on busy freeways and addresses the accountability of drivers involved in fatal collisions with law enforcement and civilians. A judge has ordered Bickham to be held without bail as the legal proceedings continue.

Mario Joseph Bickham, a 36-year-old TSA agent, is being held without bail following his plea in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The next hearing is scheduled for November 4, 2026, to review evidence.

The players

Mario Joseph Bickham

He is a 36-year-old TSA agent who is facing two murder charges in connection with a fatal 2025 traffic collision.

Shiou Deng

He was a 53-year-old LAPD sergeant with over 26 years of service who died in the collision.

Jesus Garcia

He was a 34-year-old individual who was killed in the crash on the 405 Freeway.

Louis T. Parise Jr.

He is the judge presiding over the case at the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

The details

Data indicates Bickham reached 112.5 mph five seconds before colliding with the patrol car and a disabled vehicle at 77 mph. Thirty-three other vehicles passed the scene safely before the crash occurred, and Bickham was seriously injured in the impact.

The crash occurred on the 405 Freeway at 2 a.m. on June 23, 2025.
Bickham was arrested and charged on June 29, 2026.
The defendant made his first court appearance on June 30, 2026.
Bickham entered a not guilty plea on October 22, 2026.
Bickham is due back in court on November 4, 2026.

Legal Context

This case follows the precedent set by the 2025 San Diego (405) Freeway fatal collision to determine criminal liability for high-speed vehicular deaths. It highlights a shift toward pursuing murder charges rather than standard vehicular manslaughter in extreme speed cases.

Residents and daily commuters on the 405 Freeway should be aware that high-speed enforcement remains a priority for local authorities following this incident. No immediate changes to road infrastructure or specific safety advisories for local businesses have been issued.

The takeaway

This case serves as a reminder of the legal severity attached to high-speed driving behaviors on public freeways. Motorists should be mindful of speed limits, as exceeding them significantly can lead to severe criminal prosecution in the event of a collision.