The Temecula woman accused in the hit-and-run death of a 13-year-old Menifee boy entered not guilty pleas to all counts at her arraignment today.
Melody Valdez, 21, faces felony charges of murder, destruction of property, and assault on a second person. According to a Menifee Police Department news release, she was fleeing from police on the afternoon of Sept. 15 when her vehicle crashed into an e-bike ridden by Cody Villatoro, who died from his injuries.
More than $33,000 has been raised for Cody’s family through a GoFundMe account, which can be accessed here.
According to police, the collision occurred at the intersection of Holland Road and Evans Road. Police who responded to the report of a burglary in the neighborhood were in pursuit when the vehicle ran a red light and struck the juvenile, who was riding an e-bike northbound on Evans Road. Police apprehended the suspect a short distance away.
The destruction of property charge is related to the earlier robbery. The felony assault charge relates to a previous incident, according to the District Attorney’s Office. No details on that incident have been released.
Valdez is being held at the Robert Presley Detention Center with bail set at $1 million. She is scheduled for a felony settlement conference and bail review hearing on Oct. 22, followed by a preliminary hearing on Nov. 6.
Â
Â
Â
Â
