New York City Police officer Louis Ramos faces a number of charges related to a hit-and-run incident that left a bicyclist with relatively minor injuries, The New York Times reported. Specific charges include assault, reckless driving and leaving the scene of an injury accident.
While the story only mentions the criminal charges related to the hit-and-run, it's likely that the bicyclist will be (or already has been) meeting with a New York personal injury lawyer to review his legal options in civil court.
Authorities say that on June 14, in broad daylight, Louis Ramos was driving the wrong way on Jay Street in Brooklyn with his lights flashing and siren blaring. He then allegedly drove through a red light and hit the bicyclist at Sands Street.
But what allegedly took place next is guaranteed to rile up New York's bicycling community.
He and his partner, Paris Anderson, allegedly got out of their cruiser, dragged the victim to the curb, gave him a tissue, and then left the scene without calling for medical help or even reporting the incident. But don't take the authorities' word for it, watch the surveillance video at NBC Channel 9's Web site and see for yourself.
Luckily, the bicyclist only suffered cuts, bruises and a fractured wrist. It could have been much, much worse.
Louis Ramos pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges but both he and Paris Anderson were suspended without pay. No further details about the case or statements from attorneys or witnesses were made available.
Distrust between New York cops and bicyclists already reached a boiling point in recent years. Videos posted online show officers shoving bikers to the ground during group rides in Times Square in two separate incidents, one in July 2008 and the other in March 2007. Neither officer involved in those incidents faced serious sanctions.
Related Resources:
- Traffic Accident Liability: FAQs (FindLaw)
- Contact a New York Personal Injury Attorney (FindLaw)
- Forensic Evidence in Bicycle Accident Cases (FindLaw KnowledgeBase)
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