Riverbank, CA – Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Antonio “Tony” Hinostroza was killed in the line of duty on Sunday, when his patrol vehicle crashed into a utility pole as he was racing to assist other deputies involved in a pursuit.

“Tony died while trying to protect the people of Stanislaus County,” Stanislaus County Sheriff Sergeant Tom Letras told KXTV. “We were trying to get a drunk driver off the road, and — you know, his whole life was dedicated to serving the public.”

The incident began at approximately 9:48 p.m., when Riverbank Police Services deputies received a report that a man was “passed out behind the wheel” of a silver Cadillac Escalade at the intersection of Patterson Road and Oakdale Road, the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department said in a press release.

When deputies arrived at the scene, the suspect, later identified as 30-year-old Jonathan Carrillo-Gonzalez, sped away from the scene.

Deputies pursued Carrillo-Gonzalez, and eventually disabled the Escalade in Modesto after deploying spike strips.

The suspect attempted to take off on foot, then fought with deputies until he was subdued by “a less-lethal bean bag,” the department said.

Meanwhile, the 911 center began receiving calls that a Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department patrol vehicle had crashed into a utility pole at the intersection of Claribel Road and Terminal Avenue.

Multiple agencies raced to the scene “in an attempt to rescue Deputy Hinostroza, but he died of his injuries at the scene,” according to the sheriff’s department.

He was 45 years old.

Carrillo-Gonzalez was charged for driving under the influence, resisting arrest, and felony evasion.

He has been convicted of at least three prior driving under the influence offenses in the past nine years.

Prior to joining the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department in January of 1999, Deputy Hinostroza served two years as a Ceres Police Department Police Explorer.

He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1992, and served his country until 1996.

Deputy Hinostroza then went to work for the City of Waterford as a reserve police officer and dispatcher before he joined the sheriff’s department.

During his 19-year career, Deputy Hinostroza served as a patrol deputy, K9 handler, SWAT team member, patrol deputy, gang detective, and field training officer.

He leaves behind one adult son.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Antonio “Tony” Hinostroza, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.

Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.