Update as of 2:55 p.m.: The Los Angeles County Fire Department is mourning the loss of Fire Captain Michael Shepard and has just released the following statement:

Today, the Los Angeles County Fire Department family is mourning the loss of Fire Captain Michael Shepard who passed away yesterday. Captain Shepard joined our Department as a firefighter in 2006 and steadily promoted through the ranks. He leaves behind his wife, four sons, two daughters, and seven grandchildren. He loved his family, fishing, running, hiking, traveling, and working on cars.

Captain Shepard’s wife, Cathy, wishes to thank all of those who have reached out to her and the family, and released this statement: “Mike was a dedicated husband, father and fire captain. He was the source of love, comfort, protection and joy to the entire family. It is with grieving hearts that we have lost him, but we are forever grateful for each minute we spent with him.”

Original post as of 9:00 a.m.: A local, off-duty Los Angeles County Fire Department captain died Wednesday after his vehicle crashed into a Caltrans truck on State Route 14 in Santa Clarita.

The captain has been identified as Michael Shepard from Fire Station 132 on Sand Canyon Road, according to Vanessa Lozano, public information officer for LaCoFD.

The crash occurred between the Sierra Highway and Sand Canyon exits in Canyon Country at approximately 11:15 a.m.

Shepard, who was a resident of Agua Dulce, was killed when his vehicle rear-ended a Caltrans sweeper crew truck driving within the northbound center median.

Firefighters from Shepard’s own unit responded to the incident. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

A sig-alert was issued well into Wednesday evening for the HOV and No. 1 lanes of northbound SR-14, south of Sand Canyon and impacted traffic all throughout the Santa Clarita Valley.

A Caltrans worker was also injured in the crash and later transported to Henry Mayo with moderate injuries.

The crash is still under investigation.