Man admits to stabbing motorist in Temecula roadside attack – Press Enterprise

MURRIETA — A Temecula man who stabbed a 35-year-old motorist during a traffic dispute in Temecula pleaded guilty Wednesday to attempted murder and other charges.

Rigoberto R. Reyes, 45, admitted to the charge, along with child endangerment and a sentence-enhancing allegation of serious bodily injury, just as his trial was set to begin at the Southwest Justice Center.

Riverside County Superior Court Judge John Monterosso scheduled a sentencing hearing for July 29 at the Murrieta courthouse. No specific prison sentence has been announced.

Reyes is being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Byrd Detention Center.

He was arrested on May 21, 2022, following the attack in the 28400 block of Front Street in Old Town, near Moreno Road, near the city's Old Town district.

According to sheriff’s Sgt. Frank Tiburzio, shortly before 1 p.m., Reyes and the victim, identified only as an “adult male,” were involved in an unspecified traffic dispute while in their respective vehicles.

The confrontation culminated when the two men stopped on Old Town Front Street, where Reyes pulled out a knife and attacked the victim, inflicting “multiple stab wounds,” the sergeant said.

He said the accused fled the scene immediately afterwards.

Witnesses called 911 and the victim was taken to Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar, where he received emergency treatment. He has since recovered from his injuries.

Tiburzio said patrol officers were able to obtain the license plate information of the vehicle the defendant was driving. They spotted him minutes later in the 42200 block of Main Street, where Reyes was arrested without incident.

There was no mention of the basis for the child endangerment charge, or whether it came from a juvenile in the defendant's vehicle or the victim's.