Motorcycle rider receives minor injuries in parking lot crash

A motorcycle rider received minor injuries after crashing his bike into a front wall of the Living Spaces store in Menifee in an incident witnesses said included unsafe driving by a number of vehicles.

The rider was transported to a local hospital for evaluation but had no serious injuries, said Sheriff's Deputy Mike Vasquez about the incident, which occurred about 9 p.m. on Monday in a parking lot near Antelope Road and Stillwater Drive. He said the rider did not die, as was rumored on social media.

According to Vasquez, officers responded to the report of a motorcycle down. He said the investigation revealed that the rider lost control of the motorcycle, "which collided with the business at the location." One witness who lives in the Miralago housing tract across the street said a number of vehicles were "drifting" -- the practice of driving in circles and intentionally sliding sideways -- just before the accident occurred.

Videos posted on a Facebook community page appear to confirm that. However, it is unclear whether the motorcycle rider was participating in the activity or was simply trying to get out of the area. Vasquez had no information on the drifting activity and he said no arrests were made.