ALHAMBRA, Calif. (KABC) -- An El Monte man who was allegedly behind the wheel of a stolen SUV that collided with a police cruiser, killing one of his own passengers and an Alhambra police officer, appeared in court Thursday morning.

Steven Ara Zapata, 27, pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges. He was ordered to remain jailed in lieu of just over $4 million bail while awaiting his next court appearance Feb. 23.

Officer Alec Sanders, 28, had joined the department about eight months before the early-morning crash on Nov. 20. Alhambra Police Chief Garrett Kennedy said that Sanders had gone to work the previous evening to cover a shift for somebody else. The chief said Sanders is survived by his fiancée, two younger sisters and a brother, and would be "remembered for his dedication,

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