Sheriff's Patrol Car Hits Skateboarder on Menifee Road

Responding to a call for assistance, a Riverside County Sheriff's patrol car struck a 23-year-old skateboarder on Menifee Road on Saturday, according to a report by the California Highway Patrol.

The CHP is investigating the incident that occurred on Nov. 15, at the request of the Menifee Police Department, said Officer Mike Lassig, CHP spokesman. According to CHP officers who were called to the scene, skate boarder Anthony LaPaglia of Menifee suffered multiple fractures and head trauma and was transported to Inland Valley Hospital.

According to the report, two skateboarders were traveling southbound on Menifee Road in the middle of the No. 1 lane just south of Trailhead Drive around 2:37 a.m. Saturday. A Sheriff's deputy who was driving a marked patrol car in response to a call encountered the two skateboarders. The deputy turned to avoid the skateboarders but was unable to avoid hitting one of them. After being struck, the skateboarder came to rest in the northbound lane of Menifee Road.

At the time of the accident, the deputy was traveling approximately 55 miles per hour, the speed limit for this stretch of road, but did not have his lights and siren on, according to Lassig.

The deputy also sustained minor injuries from the shattered glass of his windshield and was taken Inland Valley Hospital.

The identity and work status of the deputy involved has not been released.