Cops investigate links between highway assault and Bay Bridge sideshow
SAN FRANCISCO -- The California Highway Patrol is investigating any potential connection between the recent attack of a ride-sharing driver on Highway 101 in San Francisco and Sunday’s sideshow on the Bay Bridge, CBS San Francisco reports.
Alex Quintana of Modesto was hospitalized after he was attacked on the 101 freeway by a dirt bike gang in an incident captured on video nearly two weeks ago.
Vu Williams with the San Francisco CHP notes several off-road vehicles were seized during Sunday’s sideshow. In that incident, a pilot of the agency’s spotter plane tracked a group of more than 30 all-terrain vehicles, dirt bikes and motorcycles as they headed east over the Bay Bridge.
Officers surrounded part of the group in Oakland and one motorcyclist fled but was later stopped. One person was arrested and a number of vehicles were seized.
“Very similar M.O.s, if you will, to the group that we saw in the incident in which the driver was beat up,” Williams told CBS San Francisco.
Williams explains both incidents involved dirt bikes and ATVs with missing license plates, with traffic slowed by riders doing the same types of stunts on the freeways, including wheelies and donuts.
“We are going to review our aircraft’s video tape. They could face possible prosecution later,” said CHP Officer Sean Wilkenfeld. “We want to remind them don’t come to Oakland and cause shenanigans like this, because we are going to take your vehicle and you are going to go to jail.”
Police are still investigating whether the same parties were involved in the beating.
ATVs are never allowed on freeways, but dirt bikes can be allowed under certain circumstances.
“If they have the proper legal equipment, lighting and whatnot. And if the rider is riding with the proper safety equipment and registered and plated, then they are allowed on the freeways,” Williams explained.
