Menifee, CA — A 13-year-old boy riding an electric bike was killed Monday afternoon when a vehicle fleeing police allegedly ran a red light and struck him during a pursuit in Riverside County, authorities said.
The deadly crash happened after Menifee police responded to a reported burglary in progress at around 4:54 p.m. in the 27000 block of Hemingway Court.
When an officer arrived, a vehicle believed to be connected to the reported burglary was seen leaving the area. Police attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver allegedly failed to yield, leading to a brief pursuit.
What followed ended in a fatal collision involving the young e-bike rider.
Suspect allegedly ran red light before crash
According to police, the fleeing vehicle was traveling westbound on Holland Avenue at a high rate of speed during the pursuit.
When the vehicle reached Evans Road, authorities said the driver ran a red light. At that moment, the 13-year-old was riding his e-bike northbound on Evans Road.
The vehicle struck the boy, leaving him critically injured.
Officers immediately provided emergency medical assistance at the scene while waiting for CAL Fire personnel to arrive. Firefighters and emergency responders continued lifesaving efforts, but the boy ultimately died from his injuries.
Authorities identified him as a Menifee resident, but his name was not released.
The collision turned an already serious police pursuit into a fatal tragedy involving a child who was simply traveling through the area on his electric bike.
Driver continued fleeing after hitting boy
Police said the driver did not stop immediately following the collision.
Instead, the vehicle continued fleeing from officers until it became disabled and eventually came to a stop. The driver was identified by authorities as 21-year-old Melody Valdez of Temecula.
Valdez was taken into custody and booked at the Cois M. Byrd Detention Center. Police said she faces multiple felony charges, including homicide. The charges stem from the fatal crash as well as the circumstances surrounding the original burglary investigation.
The case remains active, and authorities have not indicated that the investigation into the events leading up to the collision has been completed.
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Multiple agencies investigating the case
The fatal crash is being investigated by the California Highway Patrol’s Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team, which is handling the collision investigation.
Meanwhile, Menifee police and the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office are investigating the associated criminal case involving the suspected burglary and the events surrounding the pursuit.
The separate investigative efforts are expected to examine the circumstances of the chase, the collision and the actions of the driver before and after the crash.
Authorities have not released additional details about the boy’s identity or the full circumstances of the reported burglary.
Police ask witnesses to come forward
Investigators are also seeking video and firsthand accounts that could help establish exactly what happened before and during the deadly pursuit.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or may have captured surveillance footage, dash-camera video or other recordings is being asked to contact Menifee Police Detective Garcia.
Police provided the phone number 951-723-1641 and the email address [email protected] for people who may have relevant information.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to reconstruct the pursuit and fatal collision.
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