Santa Ana, CA – Stephen Scarpa Faces Life in Prison after Killing Capt. Mike Kreza in DUI Crash
SANTA ANA, CA – (Nov. 30, 2018) – Stephen Taylor Scarpa, of Mission Viejo, will be arraigned in court today on murder charges for allegedly driving while intoxicated and crashing into an off-duty Costa Mesa fire captain who was riding a bicycle. The incident took place on November 3rd in Mission Viejo.
According to police, the 18-year veteran fire Capt. Mike Kreza, was violently struck by Scarpa  Who was driving his van eastbound on Alicia Parkway. Emergency crews immediately rushed to the aid of the officer and transported him to a hospital for emergency treatment of major injuries, but sadly he passed away two days later, leaving behind a wife and three daughters.
Police would not disclose why Scarpa is facing murder charges for the accident. Typically, a first-time DUI offense leads to a gross vehicular manslaughter charge. However, the charges may be upgraded if the motorist had specific admonition on the dangers of drinking and driving. Investigators did confirm they found several prescription medications in the van driven by Scarpa. If convicted of second-degree murder, Scarpa faces up to 15 years to life in prison.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Capt. Mike Kreza. We cannot begin to understand the pain they are feeling as they grieve the loss of their loved one. We wish them strength and courage as they get through these trying times.
Bicycle Accidents in California
We are shocked and saddened to have learned about this deadly accident. California, in particular, is dangerous for bicyclists largely because of the dense population. According to a recent study, two bicyclists are killed every day of the year by a car. In this case, the driver was intoxicated and triggered the deadly accident.
If your loved one was killed in a traffic accident that was caused by the negligence of another person, it is really important that you contact a wrongful death attorney for legal guidance. At the Brady Law Group, we have a highly skilled team of litigators that will go the extra mile to ensure the insurance company doesn’t settle for any less than the full amount that you are owed. Call us today at (866) 211-2562 to speak with an experienced litigator today
Note: Outside sources were used in the creation of this post including news bulletins and first-hand accounts of the accident and injuries involved. As a result, the details of the accident presented have not been independently verified by our own writing staff. If you have identified any false information in the story, please inform us immediately, and we will adjust the posting to reflect the most accurate content available.
Disclaimer: As a member of the local community, we at Brady Law Group strive to improve the overall safety and quality of life for everyone who lives in our beloved state. We are extremely saddened by these accidents but hope that, through an awareness of these dangers, those in our community will take precautions to avoid these accidents. This is not a solicitation for business, and this information should not be misconstrued as medical or legal advice. We wish only the best and quickest recovery to all those involved in the accident.
