Crime & Safety
Memorial Set Up For 13-Year-Old Boy Fatally Struck In Menifee; Temecula Woman Arrested After Pursuit
The pursuit began after an officer responded to a report of a burglary in progress, police said.
MENIFEE, CA — An impromptu memorial has been set up for a 13-year-old boy who was fatally struck on Tuesday by a vehicle during a police pursuit in Menifee.
On Tuesday, just before 5 p.m., police responded to a report of a burglary in progress in the 27000 block of Hemingway Court. When an officer arrived, a suspect vehicle was seen leaving the location, according to the Menifee Police Department.
The officer attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle did not stop, leading to a brief pursuit. During the pursuit, the vehicle traveled westbound on Holland Avenue at a high rate of speed. When the vehicle reached the intersection of Holland Avenue and Evans Road, the vehicle failed to stop at a red traffic light and struck a teen boy riding an electric bike northbound on Evans Road, police said.
Police rendered emergency medical aid to the boy until CAL Fire paramedics arrived and continued lifesaving efforts, but the boy died from his injuries, according to the Menifee Police Department.
RELATED: Boy, 13, Struck And Killed by Fleeing Burglary Suspect In Southwest Riverside County
After the collision, the suspect continued driving until the vehicle became disabled and came to a stop. The driver was identified as 21-year-old Melody Valdez, of Temecula.
Valdez was taken into custody and booked at the Cois M. Byrd Detention Center on multiple felony charges, including homicide, police said.
The boy was identified by his family as Cody Valentino Garcia Villatoro.
A memorial was set up for Cody near the site of collision on Holland Avenue and Evans Road, where the community has begun leaving flowers, candles and signs.
"No family should lose their child," Ariel Smartt, a local mother, said about the impromptu memorial that has sprung up near the intersection where Cody died while riding his e-bike home from middle school.
A GoFundMe fundraiser was established in Cody's memory.
Valdez is scheduled to appear in court on Friday at Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta, according to court records.
Police said the investigation is ongoing.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has video of any part of the incident was asked to contact the Menifee Police Department at 951-723-1641.
Patch Local Editor Ashley Ludwig contributed to this report.
