Last Updated on June 2, 2022 by CCAR Staff
A man suspected of killing a motorcyclist in a collision at a Menifee intersection was driving under the influence, authorities alleged Wednesday, June 1.
Jose Antonio Celedon, 41, was arrested Tuesday and booked into the Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta on suspicion of second-degree murder, felony DUI and DUI resulting in great bodily injury.
Celedon was being held in lieu of $1 million bail.
According to Sgt. Matthew Bloch of the Menifee Police Department, 32-year-old Luis Christian Silva of Winchester was riding his motorcycle westbound on Bundy Canyon Road at an unknown speed at about 5:15 a.m. Tuesday, May 31, approaching Cottonwood Canyon Road, when Celedon reached the intersection at the wheel of a sedan.
Bloch said the suspect was headed south on Cottonwood Canyon and allegedly initiated a left turn onto Bundy Canyon — directly in front of Silva, who had the right of way.
“The motorcyclist was unable to stop prior to colliding with the vehicle,” the sergeant said. “The victim was ejected from his motorcycle as a result of this collision.”
Celedon stopped and did not attempt to flee, Bloch said.
Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire paramedics reached the location within a few minutes and pronounced Silva dead at the scene.
Officers questioned Celedon and determined that he was inebriated, according to Bloch. The suspect was taken into custody without incident.
Background information on him was not available.
