HIGHBRIDGE — A dirt biker was left on a respirator after a police car blocked his bike during a chase, causing it to swerve and tossing him under another vehicle, a $30 million lawsuit against the city claims.
William Miranda, of The Bronx, was being chased by a police cruiser by Undercliff and Sedgwick avenues on May 17 when the car turned in front of him, according to a notice of claim filed with the city comptroller's office on June 3.
The cruiser forced Miranda to swerve and be thrown underneath another vehicle traveling northbound, the documents said.
Miranda was taken to St. Barnabas Hospital where he was treated for multiple brain hemorrhages and a fractured skull, court papers say.
He is still unconscious and on a respirator, the filing says.
The notice of claim alleges multiple failures on behalf of the NYPD, including that the department did not entrust its vehicles to suitable drivers, did not properly inspect its vehicles and did not hire competent officers.
Police and dirt bikers have had issues before. In the summer of 2012, a dirt bike driver was killed after being rear ended by a police car in Hunts Point. The bike's passenger sued the NYPD for $20 million soon after.
Jiglif Rodriguez, the proposed administrator of Miranda's estate, has retained lawyers at Hecht, Kleeger and Damashek.
Judd Kleeger, a partner at the firm, did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
Rodriguez could not be reached.
The NYPD did not respond to a request for comment and the New York City Law Department declined to comment.
