Sonoma County sheriffs deputy on leave after crash kills 78-year-old

The Brief

  • Sonoma sheriff’s deputy on leave in wake of deadly crash
  • Deputy’s SUV T-boned military veteran’s car, killing him
  • Same deputy involved in prior crash

SANTA ROSA, Calif. A Sonoma County sheriff’s deputy has been placed on paid administrative leave, months after he crashed into a 78-year-old driver pulling out of a parking lot in Santa Rosa, and later died.

K-9 Deputy Samuel Camarena Cruz was placed on leave earlier this month, said sheriff’s Sgt. Juan Valencia.

The crash happened as the deputy was trying to catch up to two speeding drivers in Santa Rosa on Oct. 5, 2025.

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