Costa Mesa firefighter struck by driver remains unresponsive, fund exceeds $60,000
A Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue captain struck by a vehicle while riding his bicycle remained unresponsive and in critical condition on Sunday, Nov. 4, with fire officials announcing on social media, “The next several hours are critical.”
A GoFundMe campaign was launched after fire Capt. Mike Kreza, an 18-year-veteran of the fire department, was hit while riding along Alicia Parkway in Mission Viejo on Saturday, Nov. 3. Kreza was off duty at the time of the accident, said Carrie Braun, spokeswoman for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
As of 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, the fund raised $60,287 for Kreza and his family.
*Captain Kreza Update*
Captain Mike Kreza is still unresponsive and in critical condition, the next several hours are critical.
Captain Kreza is surrounded by his family & friends, including his fire family. pic.twitter.com/r1OTrYZO6a
— Costa Mesa FD (@CMFD_PIO) November 4, 2018
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
Praying for Captain Kreza and his family as well as the Costa Mesa Fire and Rescue family. May God guide the doctors to provide perfect care and may He provide comfort and restore Captain Kreza to good health.
— Jo Ann (@Blue_N_Gold) November 4, 2018
Sheriff’s deputies responded just after 8 a.m. Saturday to the scene of the accident on eastbound Alicia Parkway near Via Burgos, where Kreza was found lying in the roadway. Braun said. He was unresponsive, with visible head and body trauma, and was taken to the hospital in critical condition.
Witnesses told investigators the driver of a van hit the bicyclist 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. Multiple prescription medications were found inside the van, Braun told City News Service.
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.
A candlelight vigil was held for Kreza on Saturday.
“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 in a statement. “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 about the crash is asked to contact OCSD dispatch at 714-647-7000. Anonymous tips can be submitted to OC Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.