Family of driver in NY crash shares sympathy for Lawrence motorcyclist

New York, NY (MyFoxBoston.com) -- A lawyer representing the family of a driver involved in a Manhattan crash that seriously injured a Lawrence motorcyclist released a statement Thursday saying their sympathies go out to his family.

The statement, released on behalf of Alexien Lien's wife and family, says Lien was out celebrating his wedding anniversary with his wife and child when they were placed in "grave danger by a mob of reckless and violent motorcyclists."

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

The statement goes on to say the family knows they could not have done anything differently during Sunday's accident. They claim anyone faced with such "grave danger" would have taken the same course of action.

Lien was reportedly driving his family in an SUV on the Henry Hudson Parkway Sunday when it appeared a motorcyclist cut him off and hit his brakes. Lien hit the biker and stopped at the scene, but fled when the group began to attack his car. While fleeing, Lien hit three more bikers, including Edwin Mieses.

"My husband stopped the bike away from the scene and walked over to the front of the truck to try to help the guy that got hit," said Mieses' wife, Dayana. "I don't know if [the SUV driver] was scared from whatever the other bikers were doing, but he ran him over."

Mieses was placed in a medically induced coma after the crash. His wife says he is paralyzed.

A motorcyclist was charged Wednesday with reckless driving in the crash. Christopher Cruz, 28, of Passaic, N.J., was also charged with unlawful imprisonment. His bail was set at $1,500 cash. His attorney, H. Benjamin Perez, said his client denied all the allegations.

Investigators have not charged Lien. The investigation is ongoing.

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PRESS RELEASE by MASSIMO & PANETTA, P.C. on behalf of FAMILY of VICTIM ALEXIAN LIEN

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.

Cox Media Group