Riverside PD sergeant killed in off-duty crash

Off-duty officer dies in Riverside County crash

Authorities said the off-duty officer was killed when he collided with a pickup truck that was towing a trailer.

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. - A sergeant with the Riverside Police Department was killed while off-duty in a crash Monday night, officials said.

Sgt. Matt Lewis was a 25-year veteran of the Riverside Police Department (Riverside PD)

The fallen officer was identified by the Riverside Police Department as Sgt. Matt Lewis. He grew up in Riverside and was a 25-year veteran of the force.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the deadly crash occurred around 7:15 p.m. Sgt. Lewis was riding his personal motorcycle when it collided with a pickup truck that was towing a trailer near Pico Avenue and Santa Rosa Road between the city of Perris and the Nuevo area.

"We are saddened by the tragic and sudden death of our brother, Riverside Police Sergeant Matt Lewis, who died in an off-duty motorcycle accident last night. Matt grew up in Riverside and was a 25-year veteran at RPD where he excelled as a Cadet, Police Officer, Detective, and Sergeant working a variety of assignments," Chief Larry V. Gonzalez said in a statement.

The statement continued to say, "He was well-liked and admired, not only by those he worked alongside with at our department, but throughout the law enforcement community. More importantly, Matt was a family man who loved his four children and one grandchild dearly. We hurt right now over this loss and ask our community to join us as we mourn Sergeant Lewis and support his grieving family in this immense time of need."

A procession was held Monday night as the officer was transported in a coroner’s van.