Costa Mesa Fire Captain's Memory Honored Through Freeway Renaming

COSTA MESA, CA — A Costa Mesa Fire and Rescue captain is having a stretch of the 55 Freeway named in his honor. The California state Senate approved the motion on Monday, made by Orange County state Senators John Moorlach and Patricia Bates.

The freeway will now 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.

The Senate Concurrent Resolution 21 was previously approved by the Assembly, and will soon become law, and does not require Gov. Gavin Newsom's signature to take effect.

Kreza was struck while off duty and training for a triathlon in Mission Viejo in Nov. of 2018. He died two days later, surrounded by loved ones.

The van driver, Stephen Taylor Scarpa, was charged with second-degree murder and DUI.

Sheriff's investigators found several prescription medications in the van, Orange County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Carrie Braun said. He remains at Theo Lacy Jail awaiting his next court date on $2 million bail.

Kreza was an 18-year veteran of the department.

"We are eternally grateful for the outpouring of support from our brothers and sisters from fire departments, law enforcement agencies, and the collective communities throughout the state," the Costa Mesa Fire Department said at the time of his death.

"No words and no action 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 keeping Orange County safe. May his memory continue to inspire others as we need more role models like him."

Donations to the Kreza Family, and the Costa Mesa Widows and Orphans fund, are still being accepted.