Riverside Police Officer ID'd in Fatal Motorcycle Crash

RIVERSIDE, CA — A Riverside Police Department officer was killed in an off-duty motorcycle crash with a pickup in the Nuevo area east of Perris, authorities said Tuesday.

The officer was identified by the Riverside County coroner's office as 45-year-old Nuevo resident, Matthew Lewis.

"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," said Chief Larry V. Gonzalez with the Riverside Police Department. "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."

The crash occurred about 7:15 p.m. Monday near Pico Avenue and Santa Rosa Road, said Riverside police Officer Ryan Railsback.

"He was well-liked and admired, not only by those he worked alongside with at our department but throughout the law enforcement community," said Chief Gonzalez."More importantly, Matt was a family man who loved his four children and one grandchild dearly."

The crash is being investigated by the California Highway Patrol.

Law enforcement members escorted the coroner's van during a procession that was carrying the officer's body in Riverside on Monday night.

There was no report if the pickup driver was injured in the crash.