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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.<ref name="reckless behavior"/> According to the video, Cruz merged in front of Lien and slowed down before being struck by the SUV. 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.<ref name="reckless behavior">{{cite news|last=Goodman|first=David|title=2 Bikers Are Charged; Investigation Continues|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/02/nyregion/motorcyclist-struck-by-suv-is-arrested-and-charged-with-reckless-behavior.html?_r=0|newspaper=New York Times|date=October 1, 2013}}</ref>
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.<ref name="reckless behavior"/> According to the video, Cruz merged in front of Lien and slowed down before being struck by the SUV. 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.<ref name="reckless behavior">{{cite news|last=Goodman|first=David|title=2 Bikers Are Charged; Investigation Continues|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/02/nyregion/motorcyclist-struck-by-suv-is-arrested-and-charged-with-reckless-behavior.html?_r=0|newspaper=New York Times|date=October 1, 2013}}</ref>


Cruz denies this version of events in an ABC News interview.
Cruz denies this version of events in an ABC News interview.<ref name=chase>{{cite news|title=The Biker Who Started It All, First Interview on How Fight Started|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSaox3yXoBo}}</ref>


INTERVIEWER (as tape of the incident is viewed by interviewer and Cruz):
INTERVIEWER (as tape of the incident is viewed by interviewer and Cruz):

Revision as of 05:57, 4 June 2014

Aftermath showing broken window of Lien's Range Rover

The beating of Alexian Lien took place on September 29, 2013 on New York City's Henry Hudson Parkway in an altercation between Lien and motorcyclists participating in a rally called "Hollywood's Block Party". One of the bikers pulled in front of Lien and slowed dramatically, an action sometimes referred to as "brake checking". 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 garnered international attention.[2] A number of bikers are facing assault and other criminal charges, and legislation has been proposed to regulate motorcycle rallies in New York City.[3]

Incident

Rally

On September 29, 2013, a group of motorcyclists were participating in an annual rally organized by a man named Jamie Lao.[4][5] Rallies organized by Lao in the past involved performing motorcycle stunts and an unauthorized ride through 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 Raymond Kelly. The group did not have permits to do so.[4][6][7] Driving through Times Square has been illegal since it was pedestrianized in 2009. Kelly reported that the altercation with Lien was not the only problem involving the group on September 29. Over 200 other people had complained to the police about the reckless driving of the bikers on Manhattan's streets that day.[8]

Altercation

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.[9] According to the video, Cruz merged in front of Lien and slowed down before being struck by the SUV. 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.[9]

Cruz denies this version of events in an ABC News interview.[10]

INTERVIEWER (as tape of the incident is viewed by interviewer and Cruz):

Walk me through the tape. Did you have other options, rather than cutting right in front of this family?

CRUZ:

I didn't think I was doing anything wrong with [sic], just turning into another lane.

INTERVIEWER:

Except that you were going really slowly in front of them.

CRUZ:

The other bikes are going as slow [sic] as I am.

INTERVIEWER:

Right, because it looks like they're slowing down because you're all trying to get this guy to stop.

Cruz:

Nah, [mumbles]Ah nev'r. My intentions was never to make him stop.


[10]

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.[11] The video was 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 that a tire was punctured. Lien accelerated to escape, reportedly driving over three motorcycles and a rider, named Edwin Mieses, who had dismounted and was in front of the Range Rover.[10] Mieses was severely injured, suffering a fractured spine and punctured lung.[12][13]

The bikers then followed Lien for several miles. Lien's wife called 911 four times in an eight-minute time span during the drive.[14] A few minutes later, the video shows Lien stopping for a red light and a biker is seen running up and opening the driver’s side door before Lien accelerates again to escape.[15][16] 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. Another uploaded video shows Lien laying on the ground with bikers stomping on him and beating him with their helmets.[17] Bikers also smashed other windows of the SUV and started to pull out his wife and daughter before a bystander named Sergio Conseugra intervened, stepping in between the bikers and Lien. Conseugra says one biker grabbed Lien's wife and said "you're going to get it, too" before other bystanders yelled at him to stop and the biker let her go.[18][19][20] Lien sustained lacerations to his face and sides, requiring stitches at a local hospital.[19]

Aftermath

Photos of the SUV after the incident show extensive damage. The driver side, passenger side, and rear windows are smashed. One tire is completely flat, and a second one is missing entirely.[21][22]

Reaction

Viral video

A video of the incident quickly went viral after it was uploaded by a 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."[23] The incident was covered widely by national news networks. Following the publicity for the video shot on September 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 bikers beat on the window of his car, but the driver was unharmed.[24][25]

NYPD

The NYPD faced criticism when some of the bikers involved in the chase and attack were 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.[26]

"Biker gang"

Following the altercation, there was much discussion regarding whether this group of riders was a "biker gang". It was commonly referred to as a biker gang, more specifically, "Hollywood stuntz gang" in the news. However, Jamie Lao, who organized the rally, asserts that the title "Hollywood Stuntz" does not apply to the riders, but is a monicker he goes by himself. He denies being present for the incident.[27] Many have pointed out a distinction between this group of riders and what we typically think of as a motorcycle gang.[28] A report on the topic by the California Department of Justice stated that “outlaw motorcycle gangs are sophisticated organizations who utilize their affiliation with a motorcycle club as a conduit for criminal activity. The nature of their activity is generally conspiratorial, and their goals are attained through use of violence and intimidation.” While many of the bikers were found to have criminal histories and it appeared there were aspects of intimidation in the incident on September 29 as well as on the 2011 video, many pointed out that the bikers who gathered on that day do not have any affiliation with each other aside from participating in the ride.[29][30] Former New York police chief and future police commissioner William Bratton said these groups are popping up nationally. They are typically organized online and congregate with the intention of performing high speed stunts en masse. Bratton explained that traditional motorcycle gangs are typically white, rooted in a specific neighborhood, and often are involved in drug dealing. These new groups are racially diverse, younger, loosely affiliated, and do not use the group for the purposes of furthering criminal enterprises.[29][30]

Edwin Mieses

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.[19] 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.[31]

A total of 15 people were arrested, 55 motorcycles were confiscated, and 69 summonses were issued in connection with the September 29th event. Nine suspects have been charged in connection with the attack.[32][33]

Christopher Cruz, who collided with Lien's vehicle at the beginning of the incident, was arraigned in Manhattan on charges of reckless driving and criminal imprisonment.[19] 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.[34]

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.[35]

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.[36]

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 Adriano 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 and performing stunts. The driver of the motorcycle was also killed in the accident. "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," said Espaillat.[3]

See also

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. ^ a b Sarah, Matheson (October 3, 2013). "Information Surfaces on 'Hollywood Stuntz' Biker Gang". Epoch Times.
  5. ^ Hislop, Rachel (October 7, 2013). "The man behind Hollywood Stuntz breaks his silence on brutal NYC biker SUV brawl". Global Grind.
  6. ^ 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)
  7. ^ Goodman, J. David (October 1, 2013). "2 Bikers Are Charged; Investigation Continues". The New York Times. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
  8. ^ "NYPD: Biker Arrested, Another Surrenders In Attack On SUV Driver". CBS New York. October 1, 2013.
  9. ^ a b Goodman, David (October 1, 2013). "2 Bikers Are Charged; Investigation Continues". New York Times.
  10. ^ a b c "The Biker Who Started It All, First Interview on How Fight Started". Cite error: The named reference "chase" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  11. ^ "Bikers assault banker in New York highway clash". South China Morning Post. October 3, 2013.
  12. ^ Goldstein, Joseph (October 4, 2013). "Biker Was Playing Peacemaker When S.U.V. Hit Him, Lawyer Says". New York Times. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  13. ^ Press, Associated (October 5, 2013). "Undercover NYPD Cop Present At NY Biker Attack". Newsone. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  14. ^ "Gloria Allred's defense of 'innocent' injured biker". New York Post. October 4, 2013.
  15. ^ McKinley, James (November 8, 2013). "11 Motorcyclists Are Indicted in Assault on an S.U.V. Driver". New York Times.
  16. ^ 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.
  17. ^ Stuart, Hunter (2013-10-23). "New Video Shows Alexian Lien Pulled From SUV By Bikers And Beaten". Huffington Post New York.
  18. ^ Miles, Darla (October 6, 2013). "Good Samaritan in SUV incident honored". ABC New York 7.
  19. ^ 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.
  20. ^ "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.
  21. ^ "Timeline: The biker gang attack on Alexian Lien". New York Post. October 10, 2013.
  22. ^ Orlove, Raphael (10/4/13). "This is alexian lien's range rover after it was attacked by bikers". Jalopnik.com. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  23. ^ Curry, Colleen (September 30, 2013). "Motorcyclists Pull Driver from Car in NYC, Beat Him After Collision". ABC News.
  24. ^ "Video from 2011 Shows NYC Bikers Attacking Toyota Prius, Plus Latest Developments". Car Scoops. October 1, 2013.
  25. ^ "Same NYC bikers attacked a Prius in 2011". Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  26. ^ "5 off-duty officers among bikers in SUV incident". ABC. October 4, 2013. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
  27. ^ coscarelli, joe (10/8/2013). "The Man Behind Hollywood Stuntz Swears He Doesn't Have a Real Biker Gang". NY Mag. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  28. ^ O'Reilly, Andrew (October 3, 2013). "After Road Rage Fracas, Motorcycle Clubs Combat Image Problem". Fox News Latino.
  29. ^ a b Peters, Justin (October 2, 2013). "Yes, "Motorcycle Gangs" Still Exist. No, They Didn't Attack a Man in New York". Slate.
  30. ^ a b "Dangerous new breed of biker gang seeks Internet glory, taunting police". NBC News. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  31. ^ Morgan, Piers (October 7, 2013). "Gloria Allred on motorcycle victim involved in SUV swarm". CNN.
  32. ^ "9th Suspect Charged In Manhattan Motorcycle-SUV Melee". CBS New York. October 23, 2013.
  33. ^ 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)
  34. ^ 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.
  35. ^ "Alexian Lien, Man Attacked By Motorcyclists, Files Legal Claim Against New York City". Huffington Post. 2014-01-18.
  36. ^ Rosenberg, Rebecca (December 20, 2013). "Charges set to be reduced against SUV biker bash thugs". New York Post.
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