SUV Drives Into Protesters on Bicycles in Brooklyn

BROOKLYN, NY – A black SUV drove through a crowd of protesters on bicycles Saturday night, injuring one.

CBS New York reports that the SUV drove onto the sidewalk near the intersection of Brooklyn Avenue and St. John’s Place. Although the driver fled the scene, a bystander took a video of the incident, which helped the police find the SUV.

An NYC police officer stated that the driver, 44-year-old Jacob Leiper, was attempting to drive around the group of protesters, who were blocking the street.

The SUV hit a 24-year-old cyclist while driving on the sidewalk. The cyclist was taken to a local hospital for treatment of an ankle injury that resulted from the crash.

Leiper is currently facing charges of leaving the scene without rendering aid and reckless endangerment.

Bicycling Laws in New York City

According to the New York Department of Transportation, cyclists have the same rights as any other vehicle while on the road. Drivers must also take additional precautions when driving near cyclists, such as maintaining a safe distance when passing and yielding the right-of-way.

Unfortunately, many drivers do not respect bicyclists’ rights on the road, which can lead to serious and even life-threatening collisions. 4,304 cyclists were injured during collisions with a motor vehicle in 2018 alone. Injured cyclists have the right to expect compensation after an injury accident, and the New York bicycle accident attorneys at Finz & Finz P.C., are ready to help.

If you or a loved one were injured in a bicycle accident, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Contact one of the skilled attorneys at Finz & Finz P.C., right now to discuss how we can help you protect your rights and seek fair compensation.