Motorcyclist, 32, ID’d after fatal Bundy Canyon crash – Other driver arrested for DUI and murder
MENIFEE, Calif., — Authorities say a motorcyclist was killed after being struck by a man suspected of driving while under the influence of alcohol early Tuesday morning, May 31. The deadly collision happened at the intersection of Bundy Canyon and Cottonwood Canyon roads, according to officials.
Although the alleged drunk driver was arrested for DUI and murder after the fatal collision he has since been released, with the District Attorney’s Office saying that further investigation is needed to file formal charges against him.
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City of Menifee police officers, along with Cal Fire – Riverside and other emergency personnel, were dispatched to the scene around 5:14 a.m. after receiving reports of a major injury traffic collision involving a passenger vehicle and motorcycle, Menifee Police Sergeant Matthew Bloch has since reported.
Officials began arriving at the scene within minutes and located the motorcyclist, since identified as Luis, down in the roadway not far from his wrecked motorcycle. They also located the other involved driver and his vehicle, which appeared to have been struck on its driver’s side in a “broadside” collision.
The motorcyclist was found to have suffered major traumatic injuries and despite life-saving efforts, the rider succumbed to his injuries and passed away at the scene.
The Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office has since identified Luis (Chris) Christian Silva Luis, 32, of the Winchester/French Valley area as the motorcyclist killed in the collision. A Coroner’s release indicated he was pronounced deceased at 5:21 a.m.
During their subsequent investigation, officers determined that just before the deadly crash Luis was riding his motorcycle westbound on Bundy Canyon Road approaching Cottonwood Canyon Road. At the same time, 41-year-old Jose Antonio Celedon was traveling southbound on Cottonwood Canyon Road, approaching the same intersection.
According to officials, as Luis entered the intersection on his motorcycle, Celedon made a left turn from Cottonwood Canyon Road onto Bundy Canyon Road directly into Luis’s path. Unable to stop in time or to avoid a collision, Luis smashed into the side of Celedon’s vehicle and was ejected onto the roadway, where he later died.
After the deadly crash, Celedon remained at the scene and was contacted by investigators, who determined he was under the influence of alcohol and arrested him. He was later booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center on suspicion of murder and DUI resulting in death or great bodily injury.
Online jail records indicate he was released two days later on June 2, with records indicating that further investigation was needed before formal charges could be filed against him. A search today of Riverside County Superior Court records showed no criminal history for Celedon and Bloch has since said that the DA’s Office is awaiting post-mortem results and other details before considering charges against him.
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Family members have since said Luis was on his way to work when he was fatally struck. He leaves behind a wife and six children, ages 2 to 15, along with other family and loved ones and his mother has created a GoFundMe account for anyone wishing to contribute funds needed for his burial costs and other expenses.
Menifee PD’s investigation is active and ongoing and anyone with further information regarding this investigation is urged to contact Officer Clay of the Menifee Police Department at (951) 723-1500 or the department’s 24-hour dispatch center at (951) 677-4964. Callers can refer to incident file number MN22-2664 and can remain anonymous.
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