Southern California’s terrible, horrible, no good, very bad few days continued in Menifee on Wednesday, where a 13-year boy became collateral damage in a police chase.
And yes, he was riding an ebike. And no, it really doesn’t matter what kind of an ebike it was, because the kid apparently did nothing wrong, and his ebike was not a factor in the crash.
Multiple sources are reporting that police in Menifee responded to a report of a burglary in progress on the 27000 block of Hemingway Court around 4:54 pm Monday.
A car driven by a woman believed to be involved in the burglary was seen leaving the area, and fled when the cops attempted to pull her over.
The driver was headed west on Holland Road at a high rate of speed when she ran the red light at Holland and Evans Road, striking the boy, who was riding north on Evans Road.
The victim, identified as 13-year-old Menifee resident Cody Villatoro, died at the scene, despite the efforts of police and paramedics.
The driver continued to flee until her car became disabled, at which point police arrested the woman, 21-year old Temecula resident Melody Valdez, on suspicion of evading police and homicide, among other charges.
So let’s repeat. Villatoro was riding with the green light, and apparently did nothing wrong other than share the planet with a driver wanted by police for a nonviolent property crime. But now he’s dead, because of a driver’s bad decision to flee and the cops’ choice to continue the chase.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Garcia of the Menifee Police Department at Ogarcia@menifeepolice.org or call 951/723-1641.
A crowdfunding campaign has raised over $17,000 of the $20,000 goal.
Our beloved 13-year-old Cody Valentino Garcia Villatoro was taken from us far too soon. He was a kind, loving, and joyful child who brought happiness wherever he went. He had such a beautiful spirit and a way of making the people around him smile. Sadly, his life was cut short when he was hit by a car that was being pursued by authorities. Our family is devastated by this unimaginable loss. We would deeply appreciate any help, no matter how small, to help our family in these incredibly difficult time. If you are unable to donate, sharing this message and keeping our family in your thoughts and prayers means more to us than words can express. Thank you for helping us honor and remember our sweet Cody Valentino Garcia Villatoro.
This is at least the 48th bicycling fatality that I’m aware of in Southern California this year, and the fourth we know about in Riverside County. At least 14 of those SoCal deaths have been hit-and-runs.
This comes in addition to two 14-year old boys killed when they were struck by an 88-year old driver in Riverside on Tuesday, August 25, while one was riding an e-scooter and the other was on an e-motorbike; they both died of their injuries last week.
And a 52-year old man was killed in Carson on Friday when he was struck by a driver while riding either a motorcycle or a bicycle. Because those two are so easily confused.
Maybe tomorrow we can get back to our usual business, if drivers will just stop killing us for a few days.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for Cody Valentino Garcia Villatoro and all his family and loved ones.
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