A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department sergeant died late Thursday evening in a single-vehicle crash that happened while he was off duty.
The crash happened around 11 p.m. in Valencia near McBean Parkway and Valencia Boulevard, the Sheriff’s Department confirmed Friday afternoon.
The deputy was identified by officials as Jason Viger, a sergeant with the LASD Homicide Bureau.
Details about the crash were limited, but a freelance journalist at the scene reported that a man and woman were involved in the crash. The man, later confirmed to be Viger, was pronounced dead on the scene; the unidentified woman was transported to a local hospital for treatment of her injuries.
No other vehicles were involved.
Viger, 43, joined the Sheriff’s Department in 2008 and held positions in corrections, narcotics and had previous stints at the Palmdale Station and Lancaster Station.
“Jason took immense pride in being the first sergeant to be a part of the Sheriff’s Overdose Response Task Force,” the Sheriff’s Department said in a statement. “Jason was recognized by the Department with commendations for working the Skirball Fire and for his patrol work by taking guns off the streets.”
He is survived by his parents and additional loved ones, including four children and three siblings, one of whom is also an LASD sergeant.
“Sergeant Jason Viger was passionate and loved being a Deputy Sheriff and his untimely passing has profoundly impacted our Department,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna. “He will be greatly missed within the LASD family and his unwavering dedication to protecting and serving our community will leave a lasting legacy.”
The deadly crash is currently under investigation; it’s unclear if impairment played a role in the crash.