Suspects Sought in Alleged Biker Attack on Prius Driver

The California Highway Patrol is trying to identify at least two
motorcyclists that assaulted a driver who was trying to film them on U.S.
Highway 101 near Belmont on Sunday.

The two suspects were wearing full-face helmets during the alleged
assault and have not been identified, CHP Officer Art Montiel said.

The attack happened minutes after the driver of a Toyota Prius --
a 19-year-old San Jose man -- allegedly used his cellphone to videotape a
group of as many as 20 motorcyclists as he was driving alongside them on
northbound Highway 101 near Ralston Avenue, according to the CHP.

Some members of the group were believed to be members of the Hells
Angels gang, Montiel said.

The traffic in front of the Prius suddenly slowed and the driver
swerved to the left, colliding with one of the motorcyclists in the left-hand
lane.

The car then struck the center divider and bounced back, hitting
another motorcycle before coming to a stop in the roadway's third lane,
Montiel said.

Two motorcyclists traveling near the back of the pack lost control
in an attempt to avoid the crash.

One motorcyclist, 43-year-old Michael Manner of San Bruno,
suffered broken ribs and a collapsed lung in the collision and was taken to
San Francisco General Hospital, according to the CHP.

The driver of the Prius, who was cited at the scene for distracted
driving, suffered minor injuries in the assault, Montiel said.

Two other motorcyclists were taken to a hospital with minor
injuries, and a third suffered a broken leg.

Redwood City police and CHP officers who responded to the scene
did not witness the crash or the assault, both of which remain under
investigation, Montiel said.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the CHP
at (650) 369-6261.

- Bay City News