A New York City bicycle accident is being blamed on police officers who reportedly drove off after stopping long enough to drag the victim to the curb, the Associated Press reported.
The New York Times reports the officer behind the wheel was charged with assault, reckless driving, and leaving the scene of an accident involving injury. Both the officer and his partner have been suspended without pay.
Authorities say the officers were heading the wrong way on Jay Street in Brooklyn, with lights and sirens running, when they drove through a red light and struck the cyclist at Sands Street. The officers reportedly got out of their car, dragged the cyclist to the curb, handed him a tissue and drove off without calling an ambulance or reporting the accident.
The incident was captured on surveillance cameras. The cyclist suffered cuts and bruises on his face as well as a fractured wrist. He was treated and released at Long Island College Hospital.
The incident comes in the wake of strained relationships between police and cyclists after several videos have surfaced showing officers shoving riders to the ground during several group rides in recent years.
As our New York Injury Lawyer Blog reported, the number of fatal bicycle accidents in the city has declined dramatically as officials work to increase bike lanes and take other steps to make the New York City area more bike friendly. However, serious injuries resulting from bicycle accidents continue to be of concern to safety advocates.
Nationwide, a total of 716 riders were killed and more than 52,000 were injured in bicycle accidents in 2008, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
If you or a loved one is seriously injured or killed in a bicycle accident, contact the New York City injury attorneys at Queller, Fisher, Washor, Fuchs & Kool for a free and confidential appointment to discuss your rights. Call 866-LifeLaw (866-543-3529).
