“This is a major stunt event where motorcyclists from various locations come together,” Kelly said. “Quite frankly it wasn’t on anybody’s radar screen last year. We were aware of it this year.”
As 1010 WINS’ Carol D’Auria reported, Kelly said Tuesday that the bikers caused other problems besides the road rage incident. A total of 200 people complained to police Sunday that the bikers were being reckless on Manhattan streets, Kelly said.
The cyclists caused plenty of problems last year too, Kelly said.
“Last year, they came over 1,000 cyclists to be somewhat disruptive,” Kelly said. “They rode on the sidewalk – that sort of thing.”
In order to prevent the group from heading into Times Square this year, police set up checkpoints throughout the city. Kelly said during that effort, 15 arrests were made, 68 summonses were issued, and 55 motorcycles were confiscated.
Police said Lien had called 911 to report the bikers were driving erratically.
...
During the rides, bikers at the back of the pack often slow down to delay traffic. The move allows bikers at the front of the pack to take off, go fast, and perform stunts — but can lead to frustration for motorists.
In the video, some of the bikers are seen getting off their motorcycles and approaching the car. That was when police said some of the bikers begin damaging the Range Rover, though it’s not clear from the video.
“They take their helmets and they start to dent his car and apparently his tires are slashed there,” Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said.
Police said Lien panicked and the video shows the SUV suddenly accelerating, plowing over some of the motorcycles.
For the next several minutes of the video, the bikers can be seen chasing the Range Rover for about two miles. At one point, the SUV stops and one of the bikers is seen in the video ripping open the driver’s side door as the Range Rover speeds off.
The SUV eventually gets off the highway around West 178th Street and St. Nicholas Avenue, police said.
As Lien gets stuck in traffic, the bikers surround him again, police said. One of the riders is seen in the video jumping off his bike, ripping off his helmet and using it to bash in the driver’s side window.
A second biker is also seen running up and hitting the driver’s side rear window with his fists.
At this point the video stops, but police said the attack continues.
Kelly said Lien is taken out of his car and assaulted.
Witnesses described what they saw.
“He got off his bike and started attacking the person in the Range Rover with his helmet, breaking the windows and after they got him out of his car, they beat him up,” said witness Christopher Quinones.
Lien was taken to the hospital where he needed stitches to his face.
I'd say he did the bare minimum of hurt in defending his family from homicidal maniacs. I might have taken a more aggressive approach.
