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Hollywood Stuntz gang assault

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On September 29, 2013, on New York City's Henry Hudson Parkway, an altercation took place between motorist Alexian Lien and motorcyclists participating in an unauthorized rally called Hollywood Stuntz Block Party. The altercation was initiated by a minor traffic accident when one of the bikers pulled in front of Lien and slowed dramatically. Lien stopped his vehicle and was quickly surrounded by bikers. Lien accelerated to escape and struck one of the bikers, critically injuring him. A chase ensued, ending in Lien being pulled from his vehicle and beaten. The bikers included off-duty New York City police officers.[1] The attack was caught on video and has garnered international attention.[2] The incident resulted in a number of bikers being charged and legislation to prevent motorcycle rallies in New York City.[3]

Aftermath showing broken window of Lien's Range Rover

Incident

On September 29, 2013, a group of motorcyclists were participating in an annual unsanctioned rally organized by a man named Jamie Lao, who goes by the title "Hollywood Stuntz". Rallies organized by Lao in the past involved performing "wheelies" and other tricks and invading Times Square. During the 2012 ride a year prior, "Well over a thousand motorcycles, dirt bikes, quads, four-wheel vehicles" rode through Times Square." according to New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly.[4][5] Driving through Times Square has been illegal since it was pedestrianized in 2009. Kelly reported that the Range Rover incident was not the only problem caused by the group. A total of 200 people complained to police about the reckless driving of the bikers on Manhattan's streets.[6]

On New York City's Henry Hudson Parkway, a sport utility vehicle (SUV) driven by motorist Alexian Lien was involved in light bumper contact with motorcyclist Christopher Cruz. Cruz reportedly sustained minor injuries. In the video, Cruz appears to merge in front of Lien and slow dramatically causing the collision. Following the incident, authorities familiar with such organized rides stated that Cruz was not attempting to cause a collision, but was attempting to slow traffic in order to clear a section of roadway to perform stunts on their motorcycles.[7]

Lien and many of the motorcyclists stopped their vehicles. The video shows many of the bikers gathering around the Range Rover driven by Lien. Lien, 33, is a Chinese-American banker. His wife and two-year-old daughter were also in the vehicle.[8] The video is shot from too great a distance to clearly show the actions of the bikers surrounding the vehicle, but police report that some of the bikers beat on the vehicle and a tire was punctured. Lien accelerated to escape, driving over 3 motorcycles and a rider, named Edwin Mieses, who had dismounted and was in front of the Range Rover.[9] Mieses was severely injured, including a fractured spine and punctured lung. [10][11]

The bikers then chased after Lien for several miles. A few minutes later, the video shows Lien is forced to stop due to traffic and a biker is seen running up and opening the driver’s side door before Lien accelerates again to escape.[12] Several minutes later, the SUV came to a halt behind other vehicles at a red light. One of the bikers then dismounted his motorcycle and struck the driver's window of the Range Rover with his helmet, shattering it. Lien was then dragged from the vehicle and assaulted. Bikers also smashed other windows of the SUV and started to pull out his wife and daughter before a bystander intervened.[13][14] Lien sustained lacerations to his face and sides, requiring stitches at a local hospital.[13]

Reaction

The video of the incident quickly went viral after the video was uploaded by the biker to Live Leak with the caption, "A black Range Rover ran over a group of bikers in New York City during an annual street ride."[15] The incident was covered widely by national news networks. Following the publicity for the video shot on Septeber 29, other videos surfaced of the group on other rides. One video, shot in 2011, shows riders driving recklessly, weaving in and out of traffic, driving on sidewalks, running red lights and surrounding and threatening the driver of a Prius. The driver was the vehicle and was unharmed.[16]

The NYPD faced criticism when some of the bikers involved in the chase and attack have been identified as off-duty New York City police officers. Ten-year veteran and undercover detective Wojciech Braszczok surrendered to authorities and was arrested on October 8.[1] An undercover narcotics detective has been identified by the press as being present but not participating in the assault.[1] Sources have reported a total of five off-duty officers were originally present on the West Side Highway, and that at least two saw the assault.[17]

Celebrity lawyer Gloria Allred was hired to represent the critically injured Mieses by members of his family, while the law firm of Massimo & Panetta, P.C., represents the Lien family.[13] Allred claims Mieses was the victim in the incident. "He did nothing wrong...all he had done was get off his bike, go over and try to calm everybody down", she said. She reasoned that Lien could have honked his horn or told the bikers to get out of the way to give them a chance to part.[18]

A total of 15 people were arrested, 55 motorcycles were confiscated, and 69 summonses were issued in connection September 29th event. Nine suspects have been charged in connection with the attack.[19][20]

Christopher Cruz, who was driving in front of Lien's vehicle at the beginning of the incident, has been arraigned in Manhattan on charges of reckless driving and criminal imprisonment.[13] Motorcyclist Reggie Chance, who was identified as the one who broke Lien's window with his helmet, and Robert Sims of Brooklyn, is shown on the video attempting to open the SUV's driver's door turned themselves in separately to Manhattan's 33rd Precinct on October 4.[21]

Police have stated that they do not plan to file charges against Alexian Lien. In December 2013, Lien filed a civil suit against the city of New York for the involvement of an off-duty police detective in the attack. The suit accused the police department of failing to properly train their officers.[22]

The charges against most of the bikers involved in the incident were lessened in December 2013 because of the lack of severity of injuries to Lien. “The victim’s facial wounds look to be healing in a way which does not constitute facial disfigurement under the law,” said Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Joshua Stein­glass. The defendants, who were facing up to 25 years on charge of gang assault, are now facing up to 15 years if convicted on the lesser charge of attempted assault and attempted gang assault. A number of plea deals have been offered.[23]

Lawmakers are attempting to introduce motorcycle safety legislation that would require a permit for gatherings of 50 or more motorcycles, and notification to the communities through which they would be riding. “We’re not splicing atoms here. This is something that’s very not uncommon. You know, permits are required for all kinds of public assembly and activities, and there should be a similar process for motorcycles," said state Senator Andriano Espaillat. The legislation was inspired by the September 29 incident as well as the death of Marian Kurshik, 78, in December 2013 after being struck by a motorcycle traveling in a pack. “His feet was on the seat; the front wheel pulled up. He was going very fast," said a bystander. “This not only, I think, protects pedestrians. I think it also protects the motorcyclists themselves,” Espaillat said.[3]

See also

http://nypost.com/2013/12/20/charges-set-to-be-reduced-against-suv-biker-bash-thugs/

References

  1. ^ a b c Parascandola, Rocco; Jacobs, Shayna; Mcshane, Larry (October 8, 2013). "Undercover NYPD detective charged for role in Manhattan biker gang beatdown: sources". Daily News. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
  2. ^ "Biker Christopher Cruz charged in New York road crash". BBC News. October 2, 2013. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
  3. ^ a b "State Bill Seeks To Prevent Another Biker Melee". CBS New York. December 23, 2013.
  4. ^ Davies, Alex (October 2, 201w). "Transportation More: New York City Motorcycles New York Police Department Old Videos Show That Motorcycle Rallies In NYC Are Totally Nuts Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/videos-hollywood-stuntz-motorcycle-biker-rallies-in-nyc-2013-10#ixzz2ttMCR9RE". Business Insider. {{cite news}}: External link in |title= (help)
  5. ^ Goodman, J. David (October 1, 2013). "2 Bikers Are Charged; Investigation Continues". The New York Times. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
  6. ^ "NYPD: Biker Arrested, Another Surrenders In Attack On SUV Driver". CBS New York. October 1, 2013.
  7. ^ Goodman, David (October 1, 2013). "2 Bikers Are Charged; Investigation Continues". New York Times.
  8. ^ "Bikers assault banker in New York highway clash". South China Morning Post. October 3, 2013.
  9. ^ "Motorcyclists Chase, Attack SUV driver in New York". ABC News. 9/30/2013. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ Goldstein, Joseph (October 4, 2013). "Biker Was Playing Peacemaker When S.U.V. Hit Him, Lawyer Says". New York Times. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  11. ^ Press, Associated (October 5, 2013). "Undercover NYPD Cop Present At NY Biker Attack". Newsone. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  12. ^ Berry, Andrew (October 1, 2013). "New York City Motorcycle Attack: Two Arrested, More Video Surfaces In Terrifying Road Rage Incident [VIDEO] New York City Motorcycle Attack: Two Arrested, More Video Surfaces In Terrifying Road Rage Incident". International Business Times.
  13. ^ a b c d Smith, Alexander; Connor, Tracy (October 2, 2013). "Biker injured in NYC clash with SUV hires celebrity attorney Gloria Allred". NBC News. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
  14. ^ "Biker gang DID try to grab tech exec's wife as they brutally beat SUV driver after chase through Manhattan, reveals hero who intervened". October 6, 2013. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
  15. ^ Curry, Colleen (September 30, 2013). "Motorcyclists Pull Driver from Car in NYC, Beat Him After Collision". ABC News.
  16. ^ "Video from 2011 Shows NYC Bikers Attacking Toyota Prius, Plus Latest Developments". Car Scoops. October 1, 2013.
  17. ^ "5 off-duty officers among bikers in SUV incident". ABC. October 4, 2013. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
  18. ^ Morgan, Piers (October 7, 2013). "Gloria Allred on motorcycle victim involved in SUV swarm". CNN.
  19. ^ "9th Suspect Charged In Manhattan Motorcycle-SUV Melee". CBS New York. October 23, 2013.
  20. ^ Tcholakian, Danielle (October 2, 2013). "Biker gang assault: Who's the man behind Hollywood Stuntz? - See more at: http://www.metro.us/newyork/news/2013/10/02/update-on-the-bike-gang-assault-the-man-behind-hollywood-stuntz/#sthash.cNrEnHA3.dpuf". Metro. {{cite news}}: External link in |title= (help)
  21. ^ Parascandola, Rocco; Kemp, Joe; Mcshane, Larry (October 4, 2013). "Motorcyclist charged with gang assault; Off-duty and undercover cops did nothing to stop biker beatdown of dad". Daily News. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
  22. ^ "Alexian Lien, Man Attacked By Motorcyclists, Files Legal Claim Against New York City". Huffington Post. 01/18/2014. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  23. ^ Rosenberg, Rebecca (December 20, 2013). "Charges set to be reduced against SUV biker bash thugs". New York Post.
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