A dirt bike rider who was hit from behind by a car while making a turn at a Menifee intersection after dark on a poorly lit motorcycle died from his injuries after 10 days in the hospital, authorities said Wednesday.
“On behalf of the Menifee Police Department, we would like to extend our condolences to the decedent’s family and friends,” police Sgt. Matthew Bloch said.
He said the victim died Tuesday. The man’s identity was pending release by the Riverside County Coroner’s Office.
According to Bloch, the rider was traveling eastbound on Bundy Canyon Road for an unknown period prior to the collision at 6 p.m. Nov. 19.
“The dirt bike was a non-street legal dirt bike, and among other things, it was not equipped with proper lighting,” the sergeant said.
He said the rider was slowing to make a turn onto Sunset Avenue when a motorist at the wheel of a Chevrolet Volt approached him from behind.
“As the dirt bike began to slow … it was rear-ended by the Chevy, causing the rider to be ejected from his motorcycle,” Bloch said.
The Chevy driver, whose identity was not disclosed, immediately stopped and called 911. The motorist was not hurt.
Bloch said Riverside County Fire Department paramedics reached the location within a few minutes and rendered life-saving treatment to the rider, who was taken to a regional trauma center in critical condition.
Despite being under intensive care for more than a week, the victim died, according to the police spokesman.
The Chevy driver was not arrested, but the investigation is ongoing.
“Menifee PD would like to remind those riding non-street legal dirt bikes in Menifee to stay off of the roadway,” Bloch said. “We want off-road enthusiasts to enjoy riding their dirt bikes, but to do so in a safe and law-abiding manner.”