A teenager riding an off-road motorcycle collided with a vehicle driven by another teenager Friday morning during a student demonstration on Briggs Road in front of Heritage High School, authorities said.
About 200 students who walked out of class during what police referred to as a First Amendment activity were walking northbound along Briggs Road about 9:29 a.m. when the collision occurred, according to a Menifee Police Department news release. Near the intersection of Briggs Road and Highway 74, a Nissan passenger vehicle attempted to make a U-turn to locate parking and join the walkout, police said.
During the U-turn, the Nissan struck the off-road motorcycle, which was driven by an 18-year-old male resident of Menifee. The rider reported minor pain related to the collision and was not transported to a hospital.
The Nissan continued a short distance before parking in a public lot to wait for officer contact. The driver was a 15-year-old who was operating the vehicle without a valid driver’s license. The juvenile was not injured, nor were the passengers.
According to police, the motorcyclist was not associated with the walkout and the collision was unintentional. Drugs and/or alcohol are not believed to be factors in the collision.
The Menifee Police Department was aware of the planned walkout and was coordinating with the school district to ensure the safety of the students participating. Police were also aware of a video circulating on social media that became part of the ongoing investigation, along with witness statements.
Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Officer Clay with the Menifee Police Department Traffic Unit at 951-723-1566 or the Traffic Unit at 951-723-1500.
