In the video, which has gone viral with more than five million views on YouTube since being uploaded on Sunday, a motorcyclist gets punched in the head by a middle-aged man before taking the man to the ground, a gloved hand at his attacker's throat. As traumatic as it was for the victims, the video is compelling and strangely satisfying for the viewer with its first-person point-of-view — for a few minutes, we all get to be that valiant biker who not only protects himself and his girlfriend, but shows remarkable restraint by not pummeling the jerk's face.
The attacker apparently thought the biker cut him off in traffic on a city street and decided violence was the best solution. (He actually confesses to the latter while on the ground.) A female rider on the motorcycle, dressed in a helmet and racing-style jacket, gets off the bike and is shoved by the man. That's when the motorcyclist dismounts and — without effort or any particular take-down move — gains total control of the situation.
The Yuma Sun reports that 51-year-old Lee Schismenos was arrested on suspicion of assault, DUI and other charges. He admitted to swigging "four to five shots of whiskey," says the detailed story by James Gilbert.
The video was apparently uploaded by a YouTube user with the handle of "Stealthy Aban." The incident happened on Saturday, say notes on the video's web page: "Driver of the car apparently broke his ankle when he went to the ground, which is why I'm told he did not go to jail... Myself and the police officers I spoke with clearly believe he was under the influence of something. Court date pending."
Enjoy.
UPDATE: Yuma Police got back to us today with the following info, much of which we already knew:
"On Saturday, July 11, 2015 at about 12:29 p.m. officers responded to the 2300 block of S. Pacific Avenue in reference to a disturbance occurring in the roadway. The disturbance was later determined to be related to an earlier traffic incident involving the driver of a 1999 Silver Honda Accord and the driver of a 2009 Orange Yamaha motorcycle.
"The initial investigation revealed the driver of the Honda Accord, Lee SCHISMENOS (51 year old) exited his vehicle and approached the occupants of the motorcycle. SHISMENOS then struck the male driver (24 year old) and pushed the female passenger (21 year old).
"During the physical altercation SCHISMENOS injured his ankle. He was treated at Yuma Regional Medical Center and later released. No other injuries were reported at the time of the incident.
"SCHISMENOS may face several charges to include assault, disorderly conduct, threats, endangerment and impaired driving.
"This case remains an open active investigation."
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