Bronx dirt bike accident echoes similar crash last summer

A Bronx accident involving a dirt bike has raised questions about a similar accident last summer. An elderly man was recently injured when he was struck by a dirt bike. There are discrepancies between the police report and witness statements, again recalling what happened last summer.

In the recent accident, the injured man was walking on the sidewalk when he was hit by a dirt bike near Pelham Parkway. According to police, one of the riders lost control of his bike and crashed into the sidewalk.

However, witnesses say that a police car was pursuing the bike riders and intentionally rammed the biker who caused the accident. Police are investigating witness claims.

The story is eerily similar to an incident last summer, when a dirt bike rider without a helmet or license plate was allegedly hit by a police car in Hunts Point. The rider was knocked to the ground, but he was able to flee and jump onto another bike ridden by his friend, who later died at the hospital from injuries sustained in the accident.

Surveillance video obtained by NBC 4 New York shows an NYPD patrol car slamming into two men on a dirt bike in the Bronx last August.

The passenger on the dirt bike has been charged with fleeing an officer, resisting arrest, reckless endangerment and obstructing governmental administration. He suffered a broken leg. He has filed a lawsuit against NYPD, alleging that ramming the dirt bike was a violation of police procedure and that the surveillance video confirms his version of events. In addition to the broken leg, the lawsuit claims psychological damage suffered because of the death of his friend.

The NYPD has said that ramming vehicles in order to stop them is not standard procedure.

Source: Daily News, “Video shows NYPD cruiser hit Bronx dirt bikers, killing operator and injuring passenger who is now suing city,” Mar. 23, 2013.