$56K Raised For 'Critically Injured' Costa Mesa Fire Captain

COSTA MESA, CA -- Nearly 500 people donated to a GoFundMe campaign for the family of a Costa Mesa fire captain who was allegedly struck by a drug-influenced driver this weekend.

Orange County Sheriff officials said Mike Kreza, an 18-year veteran of the Costa Mesa Fire Department, was riding his bicycle Saturday morning in Mission Viejo when he was struck by a car.

The driver, Stephen Taylor Scarpa, 25, of Mission Viejo, was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs.

As of Sunday afternoon, Kreza remained in critical condition and was unresponsive, officials said.

"The next several hours are critical," the Costa Mesa Fire Department reported. "Captain (Mike) Kreza is surrounded by his family and friends, including his fire family."

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The news of the fire captain touched the hearts of hundreds of people who donated to the Kreza Family Fund to support him.

"All funds raised go to him and his family," the GoFundMe page said. "We will provide updates as they come in the near future, however we are trying to honor the privacy of the family at this time. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts."

The GoFundMe page received more than $50,000 in donations and was shared more than 4,000 times as of Sunday afternoon.

--City News Service contributed to this report/GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner

--Photo via GoFundMe