Sheriff's Department Mourns Deputy Killed In Temecula Crash

TEMECULA, CA — The coroner's office has released the identity of the 32-year-old man killed in Saturday's rollover crash in Temecula.

Matthew Creed of Temecula died at the scene of the single-vehicle crash at De Portola Road and Calle Arboles. According to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, the married father of three young children was a deputy for the agency.

Creed served with the SDCSD for seven years, starting his career as a detentions deputy on August 24, 2012. He was last assigned to the Vista Detention Facility, according to Melissa Aquino, a spokeswoman for the department.

"The San Diego County Sheriff's Department is grieving the loss of Deputy Matthew Creed. Grief counselors are available for employees and we reached out to his family to offer them resources," a released statement read.

Aquino said Creed had many accomplishments during his tenure, including a recognition and exemplary performance certificate for analyzing data and developing a presentation to the Grand Jury during the inspection of the Vista Detention Facility.

"His easy-to-understand presentation was also adopted by other facilities during inspections," Aquino said.

Saturday's crash involving Creed's Ford F150 truck was reported at 9:07 a.m. and was discovered by a deputy on patrol, Riverside County sheriff's Sgt. Raemie Wood said.

Three juveniles in the truck suffered injuries ranging from minor to moderate and were taken to a hospital, Riverside County Fire Department officials said.

According to a GoFundMe page established for Creed's family, he had three young children although it's not immediately known if they were the juveniles inside the truck.

"The preliminary investigation determined the white Ford F150 was traveling at a high rate of speed eastbound on De Portola Road when it struck the center median curb, causing the vehicle to roll over," Wood said.

Creed was ejected during the crash, she said. He was found in the roadway, "unresponsive and with obvious signs of trauma," authorities said. Other responding deputies helped extricate the three other occupants from the car.

Creed leaves behind his a wife, Kelsey, and three young children, Charlotte, 4, William, 3, and Robert, 9 months, according to a GoFundMe page set up for the family.

"This unexpected and tragic loss will take time for the family to heal. To help alleviate some of the financial strain, your donation will go directly to assist in meeting daily financial obligations, unexpected medical expenses, and funeral service," the GoFundMe page reads.

As of Monday morning, the page had raised more than $41,000.

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