A driver was arrested on suspicion of DUI causing great bodily injury after rear-ending a biker in the designated bike lane in Murrieta on the afternoon of Tuesday, November 4th. The bicyclist suffered serious injuries, including severe head trauma, a broken back, and a broken pelvis. The bicyclist was identified as Edward Palacios Jr., 42, of Wildomar. The DUI driver was identified as Billy Raymond Bilke Jr., 39, of Moreno Valley.
Bilke, driving a Ford F-150, was talking on his cellphone and eating when he drifted into the bike lane on Jefferson Avenue near Guava Street, striking Palacios from behind. It is estimated that Bilke was driving about 50 miles per hour at the time of the collision. Bilke did not flee the scene, and was attempting to help Palacios when authorities arrived on scene.
Palacios was taken to Inland Valley Medical Center and was listed in critical condition. Bilke failed a Breathalyzer test and was taken to the Southwest Detention Center in French Valley.
