Jun 24, 2009 6:45 pm US/Eastern
NYC Biker In Legal Spat With SUV Driver
Ray Bengen Was Summoned To Police Station After Unknown SUV Driver Allegedly Threw Him To Ground, Stole His Bike
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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New Yorker Ray Bengen frequently rode his bike around Manhattan for 20 years without a problem. But on May 21, Bengen found himself in trouble with New York Police after his wheels ended up underneath an SUV that had been blocking his path. (File)
CBS
New Yorker Ray Bengen frequently rode his bike around Manhattan for 20 years without a problem. But on May 21, Bengen found himself in trouble with New York Police after his wheels ended up underneath an SUV that had been blocking his path.
"I see this pretty large SUV stopped in the bike lane with no lights, no break lights," Bengen said.
Bengen attempted to ride around the Ford Excursion, which was parked in the newly-created bike lane on 9th Avenue, and in doing so slapped the vehicle's side to let the driver know he was there.
But Bengen said the driver got angry, despite his insisting that he didn't slap the vehicle out of anger.
"He went ballistic, maniacal, suddenly forced open his car door, started screaming at me," Bengen said. "(He) forced me to the ground with my bike on top of me, and I'm lying on the ground, and he's over me threatening me (saying) 'Don't even think about it, don't even think about it.'"
The driver then added insult to injury.
"He picks up the the bike, puts it on the stand and drives off," Bengen said.
At this point, Bengen believed the ugly ordeal was over. But a month later, police ordered he come to the station house, where he was arrested.
"I was handcuffed and fingerprinted," Bengen said.
CBS 2 HD went to the home of the Excursion's owner, where a woman inside refused to come to the door. She did admit to owning the Excursion, but denied any knowledge of the incident with Bengen, who has since hired a lawyer and plans to go to court. He suffered several bruises from the fall, and damages to his bike exceeded $200.
"From what I understand, this is the state of New York against a humble, English Jew driving down a bike lane," Bengen said.
Bengen will be in court July 14 to defend himself against the District Attorney's office, which has filed a criminal mischief charge against him.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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