Motorcyclist dies in incident that includes alleged assault

A motorcyclist died at the scene of a traffic collision and a second motorcyclist was arrested on suspicion of assault and battery on the driver of the other vehicle Saturday night, authorities said.

Officers responded to a 6:23 p.m. report of an accident between a motorcycle and pick-up truck at Goetz Road south of Goldenrod Avenue, according to a Menifee Police Department news release. They located an adult male lying in the roadway. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Coroner's Office identified the victim as Christopher Von Moos, 45, of Perris.

According to police, officers also located the driver of the pick-up truck inside his overturned vehicle. That motorist, whose name has not been released, suffered moderate injuries in the collision.

A preliminary investigation indicated that the deceased male was riding a 1996 Harley Davidson southbound on Goetz Road on the wrong side of the roadway when he collided with the pick-up truck, which was traveling lawfully northbound on Goetz Road. The force of the impact caused the pick-up truck to overturn.

Witnesses and evidence indicate that speed and intoxication may be factors in the collision, authorities said. The driver of the pick-up truck was determined not to have impairment. The investigation also indicated that prior to officers' arrival, the driver of the pick-up was assaulted by a second motorcyclist, who appeared to have been accompanying the deceased male as they rode on separate motorcycles.

The driver of the truck suffered additional injuries as a result of the assault. The suspect accused of assault was identified as Blake Allen Anderson, 33, of Menifee. He was booked at Southwest Detention Center and faces a felony charge of assault and misdemeanor charges of battery and DUI. Anderson was released from custody today and is scheduled for a March 11, 2021 court date to answer the charges.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with additional information related to the collision is urged to contact Sergeant Matt Bloch at 951-723-1690, or the Menifee Police Department office line at 951-723-1500.