Talk about adding insult to injury. A New York City bicyclist who was injured by a police officer who nearly ran him over with his car now has been handed a bill — to repair the dents in the cop car.
The accident occurred in November. Justin Johnsen, 31, told the New York Post he got a bill for $1,263 for the officer’s car damages a couple weeks ago.
“I think it’s preposterous,” said Mr. Johnsen, 31, in the Post. “I was in kind of disbelief that they were going to send this letter after four months or so and ask me to pay damages for their vehicle, when they hit me when I was on a bicycle.”
Mr. Johnsen did not receive a ticket after the officer hit him, the Post reported. He said he was sideswiped by the officer and thrown to the ground. He suffered deep gashes on his elbows and went to the hospital for treatment, which cost him hundreds of dollars, the Post reported.
The city subsequently threatened him with a lawsuit if he did not pay for the damages to the police car — until Mr. Johnsen found an attorney to take the case for free.
“They should be sending an apology letter instead of a bill,” said lawyer Daniel Flanzig in the Post.
Mr. Johnsen represents the third case in the past few months in which the city has tried to bill a victim who had been hit by the police, the Post reported.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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