An El Monte man pleaded not guilty on Thursday, Dec. 4, to killing an Alhambra police officer and his own passenger in a collision between a reported stolen Hyundai SUV and a police cruiser during a pursuit.

Steven Ara Zapata , 27, was arraigned at Alhambra Superior Court on two counts of murder, one count of reckless driving causing injury and two counts of fleeing a pursuing officer’s vehicle causing death.

He faces 80 to 120 years to life in prison if convicted as charged.

Bail was set at $4.05 million, according to Venusse Dunn, a spokeswoman for the District Attorney’s Office.

Around 3 a.m. on Nov. 20, Zapata was driving an SUV stolen out of West Covina, California Highway Patrol officials said, and led Alhambra police on a chase.

Zapata allegedly crashed into Officer Alec Sa

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