dyeung0415
New member
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.
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.
Last edited: