Stretch of Freeway to Be Designed in Honor of Late Fire Captain

Stretch of Freeway to Be Designed in Honor of Late Fire Captain

by Contributing Editor

A stretch of the Costa Mesa (55) Freeway will be designated in honor of a Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue Department captain who was struck and killed while bicycling following unanimous approval of a resolution by the state Senate Monday.

The freeway will be known as the Costa Mesa Fire Captain Michael Kreza Memorial Highway between 19th Street in Costa Mesa to MacArthur Boulevard on the border of Irvine and Santa Ana.

Because Senate Concurrent Resolution 21 was previously approved by the Assembly, it will soon become law as it does not need Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature.

“No words and no act can ever truly express the gratitude that we have for Capt. Mike Kreza’s life of service,” said Sen. Patricia Bates, R-Laguna Niguel, who co-authored the resolution with Sen. John Moorlach, R-Costa Mesa.

“However, I do hope that the highway naming in his honor will remind people of his commitment to keep Orange County safe. May his memory continue to inspire others as we need more role models like him.”

Kreza, 44, was off duty and training for a triathlon when he was struck by a van driven by Stephen Taylor Scarpa about 8 a.m. Nov. 3 in Mission Viejo and died two days later, according to Carrie Braun of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

Scarpa has been charged with second-degree murder and DUI. Sheriff’s investigators found several prescription medications in the van, Braun said.

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All credit goes to Contributing Editor
Originally published on https://mynewsla.com