ALHAMBRA (CNS) - An El Monte man whom authorities said was behind the wheel of an allegedly stolen SUV that collided with a police cruiser, killing one of his own passengers and an Alhambra police officer, pleaded not guilty Thursday to murder and other charges.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Adam Y. Chang ordered Steven Ara Zapata, 27, to remain jailed in lieu of just over $4 million bail while awaiting his next appearance Feb. 23 in an Alhambra courtroom.

Zapata was charged Nov. 24 with two counts each of murder and fleeing a peace officer's motor vehicle causing death, along with one count of reckless driving on a highway causing a specified injury.

The charges stem from a pursuit and crash around 3 a.m. Nov. 20 at the intersection of Edgewood Street and Valley Boulevard that fatally injured Alhambra police Officer Alec Sanders, 28. One of Zapata's passengers, 42-year- old Gabriela Moreno, was ejected from the silver Hyundai SUV in the crash and died at the scene, officials said.

It was unclear if Sanders was involved in the pursuit or was responding to it when the crash occurred or whether the cruiser had lights and sirens on at the time.

The crash left both the Alhambra police SUV and the Hyundai SUV severely damaged, with airbags deployed.

The cruiser came to rest in westbound lanes of Valley Boulevard, west of Edgewood, while the Hyundai careened into a parking lot behind a fast food eatery west of Edgewood.

Video from the scene showed the officer appearing to be unconscious as he was taken in critical condition to Los Angeles General Medical Center, where he died.

Zapata sustained moderate injuries and was taken to a hospital, where he was later arrested.

A second passenger in the SUV, a 52-year-old man whose name was not released, sustained more serious, but non-life-threatening injuries and was also taken to a hospital, the California Highway Patrol reported.

Sanders, who had been with the Alhambra Police Department for just eight months, was covering the shift of a colleague when he was fatally injured. He previously worked for about a year with the Long Beach Police Department.

He is survived by a fiancée, two younger sisters and a brother.

Alhambra Police Chief Garrett Kennedy -- speaking at a news conference outside the medical center shortly after the crash -- said Sanders would be "remembered for his dedication, his kindness and positive impact he had on everyone."

"He was the type of officer who responded to every call, whether he was dispatched to it or not. He was just one of those officers," Kennedy said. "He was passionate about fitness, and he could often be found working out -- a habit that was reflected in his discipline, both on and off the job. His intelligence, work ethic and steady presence made him a respected partner and a friend."

In a statement released shortly after the case was filed, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said, "I am absolutely heartbroken by this devastating incident that claimed the life of Officer Alec Sanders. We honor his courage and his sacrifice, and we hold his loved ones and the Alhambra Police Department in our thoughts. I also express my condolences to Gabriela Moreno's family during this time. This tragedy is a painful reminder of the risks our officers face every day to keep our community safe."

The district attorney said his office will "do its job with the strength and resolve this tragedy warrants to hold the individual accountable for their actions."

Zapata could face up to 80 to 120 years to life in state prison if convicted as charged, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office.

Gary and Shannon

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