The family of a Yucca Valley man killed on the 10 freeway after a pursuit with law enforcement on February 4, has filed a claim this week against the California Highway Patrol and the San Bernardino County and Riverside County Sheriff’s Departments, requesting an investigation into the matter.
Antonio Garza’s family has purchased two billboards, one of which can be seen on Twentynine Palms Highway in Joshua Tree, featuring a photo of the deceased and a phone number to call to provide information to the family’s attorneys. The second billboard is near the Whitewater exit on the 10 freeway, near where the incident occurred.
Garza’s family also filed a tort claim against the three law enforcement agencies on Thursday (April 6), which is the first step in what is planned to be lawsuit.
On February 4, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputies reported that Antonio Garza started a trailer fire in Yucca Valley. Garza is alleged to have led those Deputies on a pursuit that involved the CHP and Deputies from Riverside County. Garza was killed in a lethal force encounter with law enforcement on the westbound 10 freeway near Whitewater Cutoff.
Very little information about the February 4 pursuit and shooting has been released.
The incident, like all law enforcement involved shootings, is currently being investigated by the California State Department of Justice.
