http://www.mercurynews.com/crime-courts/ci_20674517/san-jose-man-
was-driver-crash-and-clash?source=autofeed
A San Jose man was the driver who crashed into a group of
motorcyclists on a Peninsula freeway while trying to record
cellphone footage of them and then was pummeled by other bikers
in apparent retaliation, authorities said.
While the driver was identified by the California Highway Patrol
as a 19-year-old man from San Jose, his name has not been
released out of concerns for his safety, said Officer Art
Montiel.
Some of the riders were part of the Hells Angels, though they
were not among the injured, Montiel said, adding that another
motorcycle club, the Original Kings, was traveling with the
group.
According to the CHP, the San Jose man was driving a Toyota
Prius north on Highway 101 near Ralston Avenue in Belmont about
8:10 a.m. Sunday, and was using his cellphone to record video of
a group of at least 20 motorcycles traveling two lanes over in
the fast lane.
The driver didn't notice that traffic slowed and swerved to
avoid hitting the vehicles ahead of him, but in doing so he
struck a Harley-Davidson, then bounced off the center divider
and hit another motorcyclist. Two other riders lost control of
their motorcycles while trying to avoid the crash developing in
front of them.
When the Prius driver got out of his car, now stopped in a
center lane, witnesses said the motorcyclists who did not crash
assaulted him, punching him in the head and at one point
threatening him with a knife, the CHP said.
By the time officers arrived, the attack was over, some of the
riders had left, and it was impossible for the driver to
identify his attackers because they wore their helmets the
entire time, Montiel said. The driver was the only person given
a citation at the scene, for distracted driving.
The most severely injured motorcyclist, a 43-year-old San Bruno
man, was taken to the hospital for broken ribs and a collapsed
lung but is expected to survive, Montiel said. Another
motorcyclist who reportedly broke his leg was taken away from
the scene in a private vehicle, Montiel said, and it was unclear
whether he sought medical treatment.
Two motorcyclists were hospitalized for minor abrasions and the
Prius driver was taken to the hospital for complaints of pain
and was treated and released.
Why the driver was recording video of the bikers remains unclear.
Anyone with information about the crash and assault can call the
California Highway Patrol at
650-369-6261, and have a laugh with
them about the Prius driving moron getting his lights punched
out.