FREMONT — A low-speed non-injury collision between a driver and a cyclist last week led at least three of the rider’s companions to punch the driver in his face and an unknown number to vandalize his 1969 Chevy Camaro, police said Monday.
At 8:48 p.m. Friday, the Camaro was traveling at 10 miles per hour when it struck a cyclist, who was taking part in a large group ride, at Farwell and Eggers drives, police said.
Although the cyclist was not hurt, members of the cycling group responded aggressively and the driver headed several blocks west to the campus of Mattos Elementary School, 37944 Farwell Drive.
Dispatchers took a call from the driver’s wife, who told them about 200 people were confronting her husband. A different caller nearby let dispatchers listen in on the resulting confrontation, with the driver yelling “get off my car.”
Officers responded with lights and sirens, arriving to find most of the group gone, and found that three different cyclists had struck the driver, a 73-year-old man, and vandalized his car.
Police said a Fremont police sergeant spoke with group organizers, who said members had taken BART from around the Bay Area to participate.
Friday’s ride by the East Bay Bike Party, a longtime monthly mobile gathering of Bay Area cyclists, was a “sensation lights” themed gathering. Riders of various skill levels had planned to meet at Fremont BART station at 7:45 p.m. before an 8 p.m. start time along a 15-mile route ending at the Warm Springs/South Fremont BART station.
Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180.
