Riverside police sergeant killed in off-duty motorcycle crash in Nuevo

Riverside Police Sgt. Matt Lewis was killed in an off-duty accident Monday night while riding his personal motorcycle in Nuevo, authorities said.

The incident happened around 7:15 p.m. near Santa Rosa Road and Pico Avenue. Lewis was riding his motorcycle northbound on Pico Avenue when the driver of a red GMC Sierra truck with a trailer was traveling southbound on Pico Avenue, authorities said.

“The driver of the truck did not avoid the motorcycle and made a left turn onto the Santa Rosa Road intersection in front of the driver,” California Highway Patrol Sgt. Scott Stoos said. “The driver crashed into the side of the truck and was fatally injured.”

Lewis, 45, was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. The collision is under investigation, Stoos said.

Lewis was a 25-year veteran of the Riverside Police Department, where he was a cadet, officer, detective and sergeant.

“We are saddened by the tragic and sudden death of our brother, Riverside Police Sergeant Matt Lewis,” Riverside Police Chief Larry Gonzales said in a statement. “He was well loved and admired, not only by those he worked with in our department, but throughout the law enforcement community.”

Lewis, who was from Riverside, is survived by four children and one grandchild, Gonzales said.

“We are hurt right now by this loss and ask our community to join us as we mourn the loss of Sergeant Lewis and support his grieving family during this immense time of need,” Gonzalez said.