The family of Alexian Lien, the driver of the SUV in Sunday's motorcycle chase in New York has issued a statement offering sympathy to the severely injured motorcycle rider that explains their actions on the West Side Highway while the wife of the man says she expects the Liens to pay for her husband's care.

Motorcyclists beat on the SUV driven by Alexian Lien after chase
Motorcyclists beat on the SUV driven by Alexian Lien after chase (YouTube)
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"Our sympathies go out to the injured motorcyclist and his family. However, we were faced with a life-threatening situation, and my husband was forced under the circumstances to take the actions that he did in order to protect the lives of our entire family," explains the statement issued via the LIen's attorney to WABC TV.

Lien and his wife and 2-year-old daughter were in their Range Rover on Sunday afternoon when, according to a video of the incident, a motorcycle pulled in front of the SUV forcing Lien to make a sudden stop and bump the motorcycle, angering the other bikers.

Christopher Cruz of Passaic is believed to be that biker and was charged Wednesday with reckless driving and unlawful imprisonment. His bail was set at $1,500 cash.

As dozens of bikers chased Lien on the highway, the video shows them surrounding the SUV and trying to get into the vehicle. Lien quickly pulled away and struck Edwin Mieses, breaking both his legs and, according to his family, leaving him paralyzed.

The chase came to an end in Harlem, according to the video, when the bikers pulled Lien out of the Range Rover and started beating him."We know in our hearts that we could not have done anything differently, and we believe that anyone faced with this sort of grave danger would have taken the same course of action in order to protect their family," said the Lien family statement.

" We would like to thank the brave citizens who risked their own safety to intervene on our behalf. They truly helped save our lives and prevented my husband from suffering further injury," reads the statement, which asks for privacy as Alexian recovers from his injuries.

Edwin Mieses wife Dayana  in a video clip posted on WNBC TV's website expects Liens to pay for her husband's future care. "He's gonna need care 24/7 the rest of his life. Who's gonna pay for that? Not me, obviously. That man is."

Lien Family Statement

" Our plan last Sunday was to celebrate our wedding anniversary by having a nice family day out with our two-year-old daughter. Unfortunately, instead, we were placed in grave danger by a mob of reckless and violent motorcyclists.

"Our sympathies go out to the injured motorcyclist and his family. However, we were faced with a life-threatening situation, and my husband was forced under the circumstances to take the actions that he did in order to protect the lives of our entire family. Our fear for our lives was confirmed when the incident ended with the ruthless and brutal attack on my husband, me, and, most importantly, our two-year-old child. We know in our hearts that we could not have done anything differently, and we believe that anyone faced with this sort of grave danger would have taken the same course of action in order to protect their family.

" We would like to thank the brave citizens who risked their own safety to intervene on our behalf. They truly helped save our lives and prevented my husband from suffering further injury. We also appreciate and are moved by the outpouring of love and support so many have expressed here in New York and around the country.

" We would ask that the public and the media to respect our privacy at this difficult time and allow my husband to recover from his injuries. From here on forward we would ask that any further inquiries regarding this unfortunate incident be directed to our lawyers Nicholas J. Massimo and Frank C. Panetta."

 

 


 

The Associated Press contributed to this report

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