Alexian Lian, Driver OF SUV That Hit NYC Bikers, 'Could Not Have Done Anything Differently,' Says Wife

By Aidan Gardiner

MANHATTAN — The family in an SUV chased by a gang of bikers on the Henry Hudson Parkway said they sympathized with riders hurt, but that they couldn't have acted differently.

Bikers chased Alexian Lian and his family after he rear ended one of them, eventually cornering him at St. Nicholas Avenue and West 178th Street, dragging him from his car and beating him Sunday afternoon, police said.

Video taken on one of the rider's helmet-cams showed Lien stopped his Range Rover after it hit the bike, but took off as bikers slashed Lien's tires and banged on his windows while his wife and 2-year-old daughter were inside.

He hit three bikers when he fled, including Edwin Mieses, who suffered broken legs and may be paralyzed, police said.

In a statement released Thursday, Lien's wife said, "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."

Lien was with his family celebrating his second wedding anniversary.

"Our sympathies go out to the injured motorcyclist and his family," the statement said.

"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."

Two of the bikers, Christopher Cruz, 28, and Allen Edwards, 42, were arrested for taking part in the highway incident and subsequent beating, police said.

Police believe the chase began when Cruz intentionally slowed down in the path of Lien's SUV, forcing the collision.

The Manhattan District Attorney declined to prosecute Edwards pending further investigation, his office said.