Man, Horse Fatally Injured In Menifee Collision

MENIFEE (CBSLA.com) — A man and a horse were fatally injured in a collision in Menifee, authorities said Tuesday.

The collision happened at about 10:45 p.m. Monday in an open field west of Briggs Road and north of Mapes Road, California Highway Patrol spokesman Travis Monks said.

Javier Gonzalez, 27, of Menifee, was riding his horse northbound at about 2 mph while a 26-year-old Menifee man was riding his 2013 Suzuki Quad behind the horse at an undetermined speed. For reasons under investigation, authorities say the quad collided with the rear of the horse, ejecting both riders.

The rider of the quad was declared dead on the scene and the horse sustained major injuries. Gonzalez sustained minor injuries, Monks said.

The identity of the rider of the quad was withheld pending notification of his next of kin.

Because of the severity of injuries of the horse, the owner gave permission to euthanize the animal. Animal Control officers who responded to scene were unsuccessful in their attempts to euthanize the horse. A CHP officer who was on scene discharged a round from his .40-caliber service weapon to successfully euthanize the horse at about 1:25 a.m.

The cause of the collision remains under investigation and anyone with information about it can contact the Riverside CHP Area at (951) 637-8000.