Safety & Health

Alleged DUI Driver Kills CA Firefighter

Nov. 5, 2018

Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue Capt. Mike Kreza died Monday after a driver allegedly under the influence struck him while he was riding a bicycle.

By Alma Fausto

Source The Orange County Register

Costa Mesa, CA, fire Capt. Mike Kreza with his wife and three young daughters.

Nov. 5 -- A Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue captain, struck by a vehicle early Saturday while riding his bicycle in Mission Viejo, has died, the department announced Monday morning.

"Our brother, Mike Kreza, passed away early this morning,” the department shared on social media at about 6:45 a.m. “Words alone cannot describe the immeasurable heartache felt by his friends & family, including his fire family.”

Kreza, an 18-year-veteran of the fire department, was hit while riding along Alicia Parkway. He was off-duty at the time.

Sheriff’s deputies found Kreza unresponsive on eastbound Alicia near Via Burgos at about 8 a.m.

The driver was determined to be under the influence of a controlled substance, the Sheriff’s Department said. Multiple prescription medications were reportedly found inside the van. Stephen Taylor Scarpa, 25, of Mission Viejo, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

The news of the incident resulted in an outpouring of support during a vigil the same evening and donations exceed $75,000 via GoFundMe as of Monday morning.