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Person smacks me in the head at a stop light

dyeung0415

New member
Joined
Apr 5, 2009
Location
Burlingame
Moto(s)
2005 Ducati S2R 800
Name
Coca-Cola
Hello, I'll state the story first before asking my questions.

Me and my friend were cruising around Burlingame, CA heading to San Mateo on California Drive. We arrive at a stop light on California/Burlingame Ave and notice a Volkswagon to our right (we were in the left lane), me and my friend make some friendly gestures and smiles and waves and light turns green. As it turn greens, he does a mini peel out and accelerate pass him (didn't break speed limit though). The light ahead turns yellow so I let off the gas and here is where it gets a bit crazy.

My friend said that when I passed him, the VW cut in front of him and was tailing me very closely. When I let off the gas, he swerved abruptly to the right lane then cut in front of me and slammed on his brakes to a halt. I stopped about 4' behind him and he gets out of his car with a very aggressive posture and face. He made some comments then walks to me and says "you better check yourself," then slaps me in the head (luckily I was wearing full face helmet). He gets back into his car and takes off.

So my question is, I don't feel the need to press charges (Not sure if I even can), but I feel something should be done. He was clearly showing some major road rage. I have this on my GoPro as well, should I just go to the police and file a complaint or some sort? I have never done anything like this before. Thanks guys!

Here's the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBtE-SwEnM4

[youtube]ywcvYkPDswM[/youtube]
[youtube]sBtE-SwEnM4[/youtube]

UPDATE: Sorry, I totally forgot to update you guys! And to answer most of the questions, main one regarding what I did (if any) to the dude before the stop light. If you guys want, I can upload the RAW footage BEFORe the incident but I felt I didn't have to since I didn't even run into the guy until the light. The beginning of the video is where I first encountered the guy. I didn't see him before the light so I assume he made a right turn from Stack's restaurant onto California Drive. For "friendly gestures," it was a short wave to him, and a head nod when he pointed at my GoPro.

I am pressing charges and I know citizen's arrest can't be made (Officer helping me made it clear). But I did say I wanted to press charges. They have found the guy after I ID'd him at the BPD. They had RedWood City Sheriffs call him, so I assume the guy is around Millbrae (my friend's have seen the same GTI with same plate on 380 recently as well, this is just my speculation).

According to the officer helping me, Sheriffs called the guy's house and left a message. He called back later saying something like "hey call me back so I can talk to you about the incident." I've been pretty busy lately so haven't been able to call or email BPD for an update. Finals for school are nearing and I need to focus on school.

On another side note, I know it's stupid to stay after someone gets out of his car, live and learn. And for others, yes I know it would've been self defense after he touched me. But like I said, I'm not an aggressive person and seeing how crazy this dude was, pissing him off more was not something I wanted to do. What if he has a bat? or gun? Or runs into his car and decides to reverse into me. He had his macho moment and left, I was unhurt, my friend was unhurt, I'm happy enough for that. I don't have anything to prove to you guys, I'm not a fighter, I'm not a person that's out there looking for someone to fight me or show off my chuck norris moves. If you guys want to be "beat him up," then do so yourself, we each handle our problems differently.
 
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It's battery. Report it. Submit the video. Let the DA decide whether to prosecute or not. IMO? This fool needs a slap on the head from reality.
 
Yes, report it. Hopefully this will adjust his attitude before the next situation ends up with a more harmful outcome.
 
Report and post the video on Youtube
 
haha ya I jsut got back for police station. They said they could've gave him a "slap on the wrist" if I called when the incident happened. Not that I could've anyways because I was on my bike...if I stopped to make the phone call, the guy would've been long gone anyways.

Thinking about YouTube as well. I mainly just wanted the guy to get a reality check that he can't be blowing off steam like that. Thanks for everyone's suggestion though! And ride safe everyone!
 
haha ya I jsut got back for police station. They said they could've gave him a "slap on the wrist" if I called when the incident happened. Not that I could've anyways because I was on my bike...if I stopped to make the phone call, the guy would've been long gone anyways.

Thinking about YouTube as well. I mainly just wanted the guy to get a reality check that he can't be blowing off steam like that. Thanks for everyone's suggestion though! And ride safe everyone!
I think you got slapped with the bigger reality check that nobody cares. Sorry dude.

This is what I've learned in the last year or so. Assault is O.K. as long as you dont damage someone and an officer didn't see it or is obligated to help. You can smack or shove someone as long as it doesnt leave a mark. You can even loosen all the bolts on someone's vehicle so long as no bolts were taken or damaged. What happens to the vehicle after it's ridden isnt your problem. If his windows were rolled up, you could take a lead pipe and beat the shit out of his body panels while he was driving, then drive away. The cops won't care because he wasn't in any personal danger.

You can try a lawyer and see what happens tho.
 
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I would have told them he threatened me and is a danger to others.

People like that need to be "checked". I know the police are busy with other more pressing matters but how long until this dickhole gets someone hurt?
 
Put the video up at least show dudes face and license number. You owe it to other riders to warn them about this idiot.
 
haha ya I jsut got back for police station. They said they could've gave him a "slap on the wrist" if I called when the incident happened. Not that I could've anyways because I was on my bike...if I stopped to make the phone call, the guy would've been long gone anyways.

Thinking about YouTube as well. I mainly just wanted the guy to get a reality check that he can't be blowing off steam like that. Thanks for everyone's suggestion though! And ride safe everyone!

This sounds like road rage Burlingame style. Road rage looks a lot different in LA, Oakland, or Salinas. :laughing. Yeah, it's illegal, but I doubt this guy would have gotten out of his car in a tough neighborhood.

I think you got slapped with the bigger reality check that nobody cares. Sorry dude.

This is what I've learned in the last year or so. Assault is O.K. as long as you dont damage someone and an officer didn't see it or is obligated to help. You can smack or shove someone as long as it doesnt leave a mark. You can even loosen all the bolts on someone's vehicle so long as no bolts were taken or damaged. What happens to the vehicle after it's ridden isnt your problem. If his windows were rolled up, you could take a lead pipe and beat the shit out of his body panels while he was driving, then drive away. The cops won't care because he wasn't in any personal danger.

You can try a lawyer and see what happens tho.

:rolleyes
 
did you get a police report done?
do they have a copy of his face in said report?
if he does this again others should also report him. after a time maybe the police will bother to do something about this douchebag.
he attacked you plain and simple. the police refused to do anything. seek out a lawyer pay a lot of cash sue him in civil court and maybe the judge will help you.
but no matter you will be be out time and lots of money.
 
Put that shit on YouTube dawg! Not only is the punk gonna get it if you press charges, you can humiliate the shit out of him on the internet :twofinger
 
video could be beneficial in case any BARF/YouTube viewer sees the same driver/vehicle in the near future.
 
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