A highway rage incident involving the reigning US U23 males’s criterium champion Luke Fetzer and several other motorists in southern California moved shortly from an investigation by native police final week to an arrest of 1 suspect for ‚assault with a lethal weapon‘ and obstruction fees.
Fetzer captured a part of the incident on Saturday, March 21 from his cellular machine when the motive force of a blue BMW, recognized by Laguna Seaside police as Samir Weiss of Corona, swerved into the bike lane the place Fetzer and a good friend have been using their bikes in single file.
A number of Los Angeles-based media, together with the Los Angeles Instances, famous that there have been two completely different aggressive drivers concerned. Fetzer’s good friend was the trailing rider within the bike lane and prevented the blue BMW by bunny-hopping onto a sidewalk.
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An investigation started the identical day by Newport Seaside Police Division’s visitors division, and 5 days later an arrest was made and one automobile seized. ABC 7 Los Angeles was among the many tv stations to report from Corona when the suspect was arrested.
„On 3/21/26 at 11:00 a.m., a highway rage incident occurred within the metropolis of Newport Seaside between cyclists and a blue BMW sedan. The NBPD visitors division opened an investigation into the incident and commenced conducting interviews and reviewing related video proof,“ a press release issued by Newport Seaside police on March 27, 2026 learn.
„On 3/26/26, investigators executed a search warrant within the metropolis of Corona. On the conclusion of the warrant service, a male suspect (Samir Weiss, resident of Corona) was arrested for 245(A)(1)PC- assault with a lethal weapon and 148(a)(1)PC- impede/delay arrest associated to the above-mentioned incident. Moreover, a blue BMW M3 was seized from the residence as proof. The investigation continues to be ongoing, and no additional info will likely be launched right now.“
A video that Fetzer posted of the shut name to social media garnered almost 10 million views, he stated.
He then posted a second video to offer a proof of what occurred on that Saturday morning, noting that the aggressive driving started a number of blocks sooner than proven on the unique footage and concerned two vehicles.
Utilizing a map to point out the highway format of East Coast Freeway, the place they have been using single file within the bike lane, he famous that the motive force of the BMW honked at them, swerved in direction of the bike lane and {that a} passenger within the entrance seat „yells slurs at us“.
He went on to say that he was „offended“, so when the motive force of the BMW stopped at a visitors sign within the subsequent block, Fetzer squirted water from a bottle onto the automobile as a result of „they’d simply tried to kill us“.
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It was after the sunshine modified and the group progressed on East Coast Freeway that the motive force turned aggressive and drove shut behind the cyclists, and the passenger within the entrance seat threw one thing out the window at them. That’s the video footage seen by hundreds of thousands now.
„I pulled out my cellphone as a result of I knew there could be some offended drivers, and I used to be filming for my very own security,“ Fetzer stated in a social put up, which was shared by his authorized representatives Legal professionals 4 Cyclists.
He went on to explain how the scenario escalated additional alongside when the cyclists have been on East Coast Freeway.
„This is the place issues get a lot worse. A couple of miles down the highway, him [Weiss] and 4 buddies cease on the facet, ready in line on the [Crystal Cove] Shake Shack, an area burger joint. Vehicles will normally get in line and wait at Shake Shack, blocking cyclists, which is ok. We transfer to the left and we go round.
„However this time, these 4 people acquired out of their vehicles, bumped into visitors, pushed into the 2 proper lanes, blocked us. They advised us they have been going to kill us, and tried tackling us. They did not solely do it to us. There have been two different cyclists that weren’t concerned with us in any respect who have been additionally put in hurt’s approach by these guys.
„In shock, I ended with these two cyclists who have been already on the cellphone with the police, making an attempt to get an officer on the scene.
„By means of this whole course of all I need to do is share bicycle security consciousness. I’ve had a number of associates who’ve been critically harm or killed by reckless drivers.“
Fetzer famous that the social media account of the suspect has been made personal and he advisable that folks don’t put up feedback in direction of him, however let the authorized course of deal with the scenario.
Along with tons of of cyclists, different highway customers had responded with shock on the scenario.
„BMW lovers don’t declare this man or condone this conduct. There’s room for everybody on the highway,“ learn a response from a southern California BMW membership, Authentic Westside Riders. „Obey the regulation. Share the highway. Be well mannered to on [sic] one other. How arduous is that?“
Fetzer will experience with Cadence Cyclery p/b Waldo Racing crew this season, which can concentrate on one-day North American races which might be a part of USA CRITS and American Criterium Cup.
Cyclingnews has reached out for remark by Fetzer’s authorized crew. The investigation stays open.
