Hollywood Stuntz gang assault

On September 29, 2013, motorist Alexian Lien was assaulted while driving on the Henry Hudson Parkway in New York City.

Lien had gotten into an altercation earlier in the day with motorcyclists who were participating in a rally called Hollywood's Block Party.

Lien said that he struck the bike from behind, stopped his vehicle, and was quickly surrounded by bikers, who began attacking his SUV.

The media later reported that the involved bikers were members of a loose association of high-performance motorcycle enthusiasts known as "Hollywood Stuntz" who had previously been observed and filmed engaging in reckless driving and threatening motorists.

[2] Eleven bikers were convicted of assault and other criminal charges relating to the attack, and legislation has been proposed to regulate motorcycle rallies in New York City.

[3] On September 29, 2013, a group of motorcyclists were participating in an annual rally, titled "Hollywood Stuntz," organized by a man named Jamie Lao.

[4] Rallies organized by Lao in the past involved performing motorcycle stunts and an unauthorized ride through Times Square, Manhattan.

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.

Kelly reported that the altercation with Lien was not the only problem involving the group on September 29, as over 200 other people had complained to the police about the reckless driving of the bikers on Manhattan's streets that day.

[7] The altercation began when a sport utility vehicle (SUV) driven by motorist Alexian Lien encountered a group of motorcyclists in Lower Manhattan.

[8][9] Lien, a then-33-year-old Chinese American banker, was heading to New Jersey with his wife, Rosalyn Ng[10] and two-year-old daughter, who were also in the vehicle; they were going to celebrate the couple's anniversary.

[11][9] According to Lien, he dialed 911 after he saw several motorcycles run a red light and nearly hit a woman carrying a baby, but reached a New Jersey operator.

[8][9] He said the bikers were "popping wheelies" and slapping the tops of cars as they drove past and one motorcyclist was maneuvering to block other vehicles to allow the bikes to pass.

[13][14][9] According to Lien, one biker responded by punching the driver's side mirror, shattering it while another was "waiving [sic] for other motorcyclists to come toward us, he was yelling at us and he was threatening us.

[18] 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.

[20][21][9] Mieses later stated that he was checking on Cruz after his collision with the Range Rover and was walking back to his bike when he was hit.

After the biker retreated, she managed to get the passenger door shut and climbed into the backseat to check on their daughter, who was covered in broken glass, but otherwise unharmed.

[34][35] 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.

[1] Sources reported a total of five off-duty officers were originally present on the West Side Highway, and that at least two saw the assault.

Bratton explained that traditional motorcycle gangs are typically white, rooted in a specific neighborhood, and often are involved in drug dealing.

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.

[8] Motorcyclist Reggie Chance, who was identified as the one who broke Lien's window with his helmet, turned himself in to Manhattan's 33rd Precinct on October 4.

[49][50] Robert Sims of Brooklyn, who is shown on the video attempting to open the SUV's driver's door, turned himself in to Manhattan's 33rd Precinct on October 4.

He was allegedly captured on video wearing a black vest that said "Front Line Soldiers" on the back, punching and kicking the SUV.

Allen Edwards and Edwin Rodriguez were each sentenced to five years probation on charges of second-degree assault and first-degree rioting.

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.