Authorities have charged the driver of a pickup truck after he reportedly swerved into a motorcyclist. The impact pinned the motorbike against the guardrail, killing the rider.
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According to a report by the New York Post, the incident occurred on Friday afternoon at around 2:14 PM on the LIE service road near New Hyde Park Road in Nassau County. Brian Noll, 64, was reportedly behind the wheel of his Ford pickup before getting into a dispute with Alex Baez, 29. Baez was riding a green Kawasaki motorcycle at the time.
Noll reportedly deliberately swerved his pickup truck into Baez on the road, crushing him into the guardrail. Per NBC New York, police said, "As a result, the motorcyclist suffered severe trauma and was pronounced at the scene." Police have arrested Noll and charged him with second-degree murder. He reportedly pleaded 'not guilty' in court on Saturday.
News 12 Long Island explains that Noll and Baez got into an argument before the collision. After a 'back and forth,' Noll allegedly swerved his truck into the motorcyclist.
The Pickup Truck Driver's Attorney Has Released A Statement
Noll's defense attorney also provided a statement to News 12 Long Island, which reads, "This is an unfortunate accident that was caused by a motorcyclist who was operating his motorcycle in the most reckless of ways. He had absolutely no intent to come in contact with this motorcyclist. And it's just a real shame that he is involved in this." The attorney explains that Noll "was coming back to see some family because he recently moved upstate when this motorcyclist was wreaking havoc on the roads and caused this accident. My client is now unjustifiably charged with murder."
A friend of Baez has set up a GoFundMe "in hopes to raise enough money to lay my best friend to rest." The fundraiser says that Baez had recently bought the motorcycle and was passionate about fishing.
Goldwynn Redding, Baez's brother-in-law, told the New York Post that Baez had a "gentle spirit." He also told the outlet, "We're just going to let the legal system play out."
