Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue captain hit, critically injured while riding his bicycle in Mission Viejo
A captain with Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue was in critical condition at a hospital after he was hit by a vehicle while riding his bicycle in Mission Viejo on Saturday, Nov. 3, authorities said.
Capt. Mike Kreza was off duty at the time of the accident, said Carrie Braun, spokeswoman for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
We are honored to stand with the @CMFD_PIO and Captain Kreza’s family and friends at a candlelight vigil this evening. You all have our continued thoughts and prayers. pic.twitter.com/7BwbfQiczO
— OC Sheriff, CA (@OCSheriff) November 4, 2018
Sheriff’s deputies responded just after 8 a.m. to the scene of the accident on eastbound Alicia Parkway near Via Burgos, Braun said.
Kreza was found lying in the roadway unresponsive with visible head and body trauma. He was transported to the hospital in critical condition, Braun said.
Witnesses reported to investigators the driver of a van hit the victim while he was riding eastbound on Alicia Parkway. The driver remained at the scene and, after being evaluated, was determined to be under the influence of a controlled substance at the time of the collision, Braun said.
Stephen Taylor Scarpa, 25, of Mission Viejo was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. He was booked into Orange County Jail and was being held on $100,000 bail.
Alicia Parkway was closed from Via Burgos to Via Aurora until 3:45 p.m. during an investigation by the Department’s Major Accident Reconstruction Team.
Kreza is an 18-year veteran of Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue.
“Our entire Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue family is immensely saddened by the news that one of our own was involved in an accident this morning,” Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue Chief Dan Stefano said. “We are working together to support the family and each other. We appreciate the strong showing of support from our brothers and sisters of the Orange County fire services and law enforcement agencies that have reached out to assist us during this difficult time for our fire family.”
Anyone with information on the crash was asked to contact OCSD dispatch at 714-647-7000. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling OC Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.