NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A Nolensville man was arrested Tuesday night in connection with an alleged road rage incident from more than two months ago involving a bicyclist in Nashville.
According to a Davidson County affidavit, a 37-year-old man on a high-end racing bike was riding in the bike lane along Belmont Boulevard around 7 p.m. on Aug. 1. He told the Metro Nashville Police Department that he diverted into a traffic lane to avoid a parked vehicle that was partially blocking the bike lane, stopped behind another vehicle in traffic, and tapped the hood because he thought that vehicle was going to bump into him.
Based on the court document, the vehicle accelerated quickly and pulled into the bike lane several times. The bicyclist reportedly tried to get away from the vehicle as it continued to follow him and try to cut him off.
The victim told authorities the vehicle pulled in front of him, so he had to hit either the curb or the vehicle. Per the affidavit, the bicyclist pushed the vehicle’s side mirror forward and avoided falling.
1 injured following road rage shooting in Bellshire area, Metro police say According to the court record, witnesses saw the vehicle speeding along Belmont Boulevard and pulling in front of the victim, blocking the bike lane. After the bicyclist stopped, witnesses reported seeing the driver get out of the vehicle before he ran toward the victim and screamed at him.
The driver allegedly pushed the victim while he was still on the bike, but the victim was able to dismount on the other side. Then, the bicyclist told law enforcement the driver took his bike and threw it at him, per the affidavit. A witness reportedly took a video of the confrontation.
The victim said he injured his hand during the fight, and a witness confirmed seeing blood on the bicyclist’s hand following the incident. In addition, the $5,600 racing bike suffered major damage, based on the court document.
Months later, on Tuesday, Oct. 8, the suspect — identified as Brian J. Moat — was arrested in Nolensville. In the body camera footage of Moat’s arrest, you can hear the 56-year-old talking to officers.
“Thank you for what you guys do in our town. Thank you,” Moat said. “I’m just baffled right now, I’m sorry. But y’all just do your jobs, please. It’s all respect to y’all.”
Metro police obtain warrants against man following hit-and-run crash that killed child News 2 went to Belmont Boulevard and talked to a biking enthusiast who lives in the area.
“To be quite honest with you, these bike lanes right here on this road are much better than most of the ones we have in Nashville,” he said.
When told of the alleged altercation, the Belmont student said, “I can’t believe that happened. I’ve never seen anything like that. I have almost gotten hit on my bike a few times, but nothing to this extent because of road rage.”
News 2 also traveled to Cumberland Transit on West End Avenue and spoke with Mark Hallada, who works on high-end bikes like the one described in the affidavit.
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When asked if the incident from August shocked him, the bike expert said it didn’t.
“Ninety-nine percent of drivers are just great, but there is 1% that can be nasty. And quite frankly, 1% of bike riders can be nasty too. It’s just the nature of the beast,” Hallada told News 2.
Meanwhile, Moat was charged with felony vandalism and misdemeanor assault, but he was released from the Metro Jail on Wednesday, Oct. 9 on a $12,500 bond.
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