A driver was taken into custody by police and later released after he allegedly panicked and drove into a crowd of protestors. The protest was taking place in Times Square in New York City, where the driver was driving. Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident, and currently no charges are pending.
The incident occurred on the evening of July 7 as the driver was travelling westbound down 42 nd Street at Sixth Avenue, known more commonly as Times Square. As he approached a protest that was ongoing, he was blocked off by bicyclists who appeared to be blocking off traffic for the protestors. As the driver approached, the bicyclists surrounded him, causing him to panic and drive off, which resulted in one bicycle being damaged. After driving off, protestors continued to pursue him for two blocks until he was taken into custody by police.
While this incident was thankfully minor, it sparked a panic due to other instances around the country of vehicles driving into protestors, including one incident that allegedly occurred in Huntington Station on Long Island (which was investigated and later found to be false). The politics of the protests aside, protestors should be aware of the flow of traffic and make sure to always pay attention to minimize the risk of harm against them. Likewise, drivers should try to remain aware of protests and other gatherings to ensure they do not accidentally harm someone exercising their freedom of assembly. Remaining aware of your surroundings is the best way to minimize the risk of being injured while on the street.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, you should seek out the auto accident lawyers at Zlotolow & Associates. Our seasoned New York personal injury attorneys bring more than two decades of trial experience to your case. We serve all five boroughs of New York City, as well as Nassau and Suffolk County. Our aggressive personal injury attorneys always demand maximum compensation. We have helped thousands of clients recover through settlements and courtroom verdicts. To schedule a consultation, you can call us at 866-800-0092, or you can visit our contact page.
