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SCV News | Press Conference: CHP Arrests Suspected Motorcyclist in Highway 14 Road Rage Crash
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SCV News | Press Conference: CHP Arrests Suspected Motorcyclist in Highway 14 Road Rage Crash
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Article by Stephen K. Peeples, SCVNews. Video by Austin Dave, Santa Clarita Valley Signal. The California Highway Patrol has arrested the suspected hit-and-run motorcycle rider in a June 2017 road rage crash also involving two cars on Highway 14 in Newhall, officials said Wednesday. CHP Southern Division Assistant Chief Mark Garrett announced the arrest of Andrew Flanigan, 45, of Arleta, at a press conference at CHP Division Headquarters in Glendale Wednesday afternoon. After an extensive investigation, an arrest warrant was issued for Flanigan, who was arrested in Arleta by CHP Officers on Tuesday at approximately 5:40 p.m. Flanigan has been booked at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station and charged with assault with a deadly weapon, felony hit and run, and felony reckless driving. Bail has been set at $110,000. Investigators determined an altercation occurred between the rider of an orange motorcycle and driver of a silver sedan on southbound State Road 14 at Newhall Avenue on June 21, 2017. As a result of the altercation, a collision occurred, causing a white Cadillac to overturn. A portion of the incident was recorded by a passing motorist and posted on social media (see clip above). The incident received local and national news coverage. Party #1 was traveling in Vehicle #1 (Nissan) on southbound SR-14 within the HOV lane. Party #2, Flanigan, was allegedly riding a motorcycle on southbound SR-14 at Newhall Avenue, also within the HOV lane, to the left of vehicle #1. Party #3 was traveling in Vehicle #3 (Cadillac) on southbound SR-14 at Newhall Avenue within the #2 lane. Both Party #1 and Party #2 allegedly engaged in an altercation within the HOV lane on southbound SR-14 at Newhall Avenue. Vehicle #1 (Nissan) subsequently lost control of the vehicle, which crashed into the center divider. After this collision, vehicle #1 (Nissan) was deflected into southbound traffic #2 lane and broadsided vehicle #3 (Cadillac) which caused vehicle #3 to roll over. Flanigan allegedly fled the scene on his motorcycle. Party #3 sustained moderate injuries from the collision and was transported to Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital. (c) 2018 SCVTV | Santa Clarita Valley Signal |
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Though the rider was way out of line kicking the Toyota, the driver of the Toyota clearly swerved at the motorcycle and subsequently lost control, hit the center divide and then the Caddy. It was the reaction of the Toyota driver to the moto rider’s kick that caused the accident. The moto rider did provoke the Toyota driver, but assault with a deadly weapon? No, he didn’t hit or try to hit the Toyota with his moto, he did kick it though.Two entirely different actions.
NISSAN, not Toyota, sorry
Okay, I get charging his with fleeing the scene (no matter who was at fault), but assault with a deadly weapon? What, his boot? Come on, a motorcyclist kicking at another car is an act of frustration, not assault.