Caught On Video: Driver Rams Motorcyclist Over Apparent Texting Altercation
WEST HOLLYWOOD (CBSLA.com) — Police are investigating a hit-and-run crash involving a motorcycle that may have been fueled by a driver texting behind the wheel.
The crash happened in March near the intersection of La Cienega and Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood, where motorcyclist Samuel Ayres was knocked off his bike and sent skidding down the pavement, CBS2/KCAL9's Peter Daut reported.
The ensuing wipeout - and possible road rage - were all captured on Ayres' helmet camera as he can be heard groaning while a pedestrian walks over to help.
"It's grating, it's an awful feeling," Ayres said. "It's sickening."
The 32-year-old Ayres says it all started just moments earlier when he pulled up next to a BMW and noticed the driver was texting behind the wheel at the light.
"Put down your (bleeping) phone! You're in your car!" Ayres is heard shouting in the video.
Then, Ayres says, the driver got angry and began honking at him.
"He started driving aggressively behind me, tailgating, going very fast," he said. "I was just consistently checking the sideview mirror."
That's when Ayres claims the driver suddenly swerved into his lane and knocked him off the bike.
"There's a big scrape down the front of my helmet where my face hit," he said.
According to Ayres, he suffered a severe concussion, broken foot and fractures to his shoulder.
While the crash happened three months ago, Ayres says he just recently posted the video to social media as police investigators continue to try and track down the driver.
Ayres acknowledges that he shouldn't have cursed at the driver, but he also says he did not deserve to become the victim of a hit-and-run.
"Since when is it OK to go after someone like that simply because you disagree with something they said?" he asked.
Ayres - who says he plans on taking legal action against the driver - has raised over $3,700 after setting up an online page to help cover his medical costs.