Driver Steven Ara Zapata Charged With Murder in Deadly Crash That Killed Alhambra Officer Alec Sanders and Passenger Gabriela Moreno

A 27-year-old El Monte man has been charged with murder following a violent police pursuit crash in Alhambra that left Officer Alec Sanders, 28, and 42-year-old passenger Gabriela Moreno dead. Prosecutors say Steven Ara Zapata was behind the wheel of a stolen SUV when he fled police and slammed into a patrol vehicle early Thursday morning.

Zapata faces two counts of murder, along with charges of fleeing a peace officer causing death and reckless driving causing injury, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. He sustained moderate injuries in the crash and was hospitalized before being taken into custody.

The deadly collision occurred around 3 a.m. at Edgewood Street and Valley Boulevard after officers attempted to stop a stolen silver Hyundai SUV. During the pursuit, Zapata’s vehicle struck a police cruiser with such force that both SUVs were left mangled, with airbags deployed and debris scattered across the intersection.

Officer Alec Sanders, who had been with the Alhambra Police Department for just eight months, was pulled from the wreckage appearing unconscious. He was transported in critical condition to Los Angeles General Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries. Sanders had previously served with the Long Beach Police Department and was working an extra shift for a colleague at the time of the crash. He is survived by his fiancée, two younger sisters, and a brother.

Inside Zapata’s vehicle, Gabriela Moreno, 42, was ejected upon impact and pronounced dead at the scene. A second passenger, a 52-year-old man, suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries and remains hospitalized. A GoFundMe has since been created to help Moreno’s family with funeral expenses.

Police have not confirmed whether Officer Sanders was actively involved in the chase or responding to it when the crash occurred, nor have they clarified whether the patrol unit’s emergency lights and sirens were activated. The collision sent Zapata’s SUV careening into a nearby parking lot, while the police cruiser came to rest in the westbound lanes of Valley Boulevard.

Zapata is expected to be formally arraigned once he is medically cleared.

A candlelight vigil honoring Officer Sanders is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Alhambra Police Department headquarters.