Concerns about the mental competency of a man accused of assaulting a Temecula resident and leaving him in an intersection near the Pechanga Resort Casino, where he was fatally struck by a vehicle, prompted a judge Thursday to order the defendant to undergo psychiatric examinations.
Alex Leyva, 39, of Vista allegedly caused the death of 35-year-old George Fresquez earlier this month.
Leyva is charged with murder. He made his initial court appearance on Sept. 10 and has since retained a private attorney.
The defendant has, in the last week, been scheduled for arraignment on six different occasions, but has repeatedly requested postponements. On Thursday, the defense submitted a motion to Riverside County Superior Court Judge Judith Clark, requesting evaluations to determine Leyva’s mental health.
The judge referred the matter to the county Department of Behavioral Health and directed that any psychiatric reports be submitted by Nov. 7, which is when the next status conference is set at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta.
Leyva is being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Byrd Detention Center.
According to investigators with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, at around 11:45 p.m. on Sept. 6, the defendant was involved in an unspecified dispute with Fresquez at the intersection of Pechanga Parkway and Wolff Valley Road, less than a block from the main resort entrance.
Sgt. Mike Kelleher alleged that during the confrontation, Fresquez was knocked out and left lying in the southbound lanes of Pechanga Parkway.
“After the assault occurred, the victim was struck by a vehicle,” Kelleher said.
The motorist apparently didn’t see him in time to stop, and according to the sergeant, the driver continued southbound after running over the victim.
A patrol deputy spotted Fresquez while driving through the intersection and immediately stopped to attempt CPR. Kelleher said county fire paramedics arrived minutes later and took over the resuscitative measures, but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
Central Homicide Unit detectives assumed the investigation, and hours later identified Leyva as the alleged assailant, though no other details were released.
The defendant was taken into custody without incident the next morning near the intersection of Pechanga and Temecula parkways, three miles from where the alleged attack occurred.
“Investigators also identified the vehicle and driver who struck the victim,” Kelleher said.
The party, whose identity was not disclosed, was detained for questioning but ultimately released.
“Alcohol did not appear to be a factor in the collision,” Kelleher said.
Leyva has no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.
This was my son who was disabled. He couldn’t fight back because his left side is partially disabled and he has tbi from an assault 7 years ago..he wouldn’t start problems with anyone. He is a happy positive person. So this attack makes no sense. Please call me. We need help laying him to rest..his father who found him hasn’t been able to return to work until yesterday Sept 23..so we have a go fund me acct for George Fresquez IV…my name is Jamie Fresquez. His mother. 562 340 8271. Thank you