UPDATE: More details released after SDSO deputy killed in deadly Temecula crash

UPDATED: Monday, Jan. 14, 3 p.m., With Coroner’s release of information, other details.

TEMECULA — Officials have identified an off-duty San Diego County sheriff’s deputy who was fatally ejected when his pickup truck overturned and burst into flames in Temecula Saturday morning, Jan. 11. The deadly accident, which occurred on De Portola Road, just west of Calle Rivas, also injured three children.

Despite the victim’s death, deputies and good Samaritans who happened upon the fiery wreck moments after it happened managed to rescue the three juveniles from inside the burning truck.

Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner and San Diego County Sheriff’s officials have since identified Matthew Creed, 32, of Temecula as the victim killed in the solo-vehicle rollover. Creed leaves behind a wife and three children, ages 4, 3, and 9 months.

LEADING THE RCNS HEADLINES:

Lake Elsinore pursuit leads to stolen handgun, drugs – 1 arrested

Food 4 Less and Ross to add “great value-opportunity for the Inland Empire”

UPDATE: Search for suspect continuing after Hemet victim critically injured during Christmas day robbery

A Temecula sheriff’s deputy on routine patrol happened upon the scene of the accident just after 9 a.m., Riverside Sheriff’s Sgt. Raemie Wood reported after the deadly rollover crash.

The deputy found a white Ford F150 overturned and on fire and located Creed, who had been ejected from the pickup truck.

Deputies and good Samaritans reportedly pulled three juveniles from a burning truck after it struck a center median and overturned. RVC News photo

Creed was “unresponsive with obvious signs of trauma,” according to the Sgt., who reported that other responding deputies helped witnesses pull three children from inside the burning truck. It was not immediately known how or if Creed was related to the juveniles pulled from his pickup truck.

When Cal Fire personnel arrived at the scene they quickly extinguished the vehicle fire and determined that Creed had succumbed to his injuries at the scene and passed away.

A coroner’s release indicated he was pronounced deceased at 10:28 a.m.

The three juvenile occupants pulled from the truck were transported to area hospitals for evaluation and treatment, according to Wood; who described the victim’s injuries as non-life threatening.

Based on the circumstances, members of the Temecula Sheriff Station’s Traffic Team responded to the scene and assumed the investigation.

Deputies and other officials work at the scene of a deadly crash that killed off-duty San Diego County sheriff’s deputy Matthew Creed when he was ejected from his pickup truck. RVC News photo

During their investigation, officials determined Creed was traveling eastbound on De Portola Rd. at a high rate of speed when his Ford struck the center median curb. The impact caused the vehicle to careen out of control and overturn, according to Wood; who said, “The vehicle came to rest on its roof in the eastbound lanes and immediately caught on fire.”

Family members have since created a GoFundMe account to raise money for burial and medical costs, as well as other expenses. As of this report, the account had raised nearly $61,000.

The Sheriff’s Investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding this fatal traffic collision is encouraged to call Deputy Daniel Hoctor at the Temecula Sheriff Station at (951) 696-3000. Callers can refer to incident file number and can remain anonymous.

Click any image to open full-size gallery.

RVC News photos

This article sponsored by:

Voted Best Independent Sandwich Shop in the Inland Empire by The Press-Enterprise readers choice. Centrally located on N Harvard St in the heart of Downtown Hemet, enjoy over 30 different sandwiches and premium salads. Our coffee is made from locally roasted, Organic Coffee Beans from Idyllwild Coffee Roasters. Come taste the difference that is Downtown Deli & Coffee Company. For more information, visit Downtown Deli & Coffee Co. on Facebook.

Fight Syndicate MMA in Murrieta is more than just a gym, it’s a family.

At Fight Syndicate, trainers offer elite training programs available to members of all ages and abilities. Each class offers a variety of martial arts for men, women, and kids, including: Kempo, Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, Judo, Tae Kwon Do, wrestling, boxing, kickboxing, strength and conditioning.

Visit Fight Syndicate today, to learn how trainers will teach you all the necessary fundamentals to become a professional fighter and achieve your fitness goals. 

To learn more about Fight Syndicate MMA and the various programs they offer, contact them on Facebook.

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 48, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, (the now defunct) Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and Mountain Echo in Shasta County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 29 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 16 grandchildren.

tagged with , , , , , ,