California fire captain critical after off-duty bike crash

MISSION VIEJO, Calif. (AP) — Police officers, firefighters, sheriff’s deputies and members of the public turned out for a candlelight vigil for a Southern California fire captain who’s in critical condition after being hit by a car while riding his bicycle.

Officials say Mike Kreza, an 18-year veteran of Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue, was off duty when he was struck by a van Saturday morning in Mission Viejo.

The Orange County Register says Kreza was found lying in the road unresponsive with visible head and body trauma.

The van driver stayed at the scene and investigators determined he was under the influence of a controlled substance at the time of the collision.

The newspaper says 25-year-old Stephen Taylor Scarpa could face charges including DUI. It wasn’t known Sunday if he has an attorney.