An argument between two men left one of them with a broken arm after his motorcycle was intentionally rammed.
Lake County sheriff’s deputies served a warrant for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon on 40-year-old Matthew Martinez on Tuesday. A Leesburg Police Department detective had been assigned to investigate what happened during the wee hours of July 9.
A man identified by the detective as the victim was riding his motorcycle past the Denny’s located at 2480 Citrus Boulevard when he saw vehicles belonging to some friends in the restaurant’s parking lot. He stopped to see his friends and went into the restaurant. A man the victim only knew as “Matt” said, “I’m glad you didn’t bring that b*tch with you,” according to the affidavit of probable cause filed in support of the arrest warrant. This comment caused such a disruption inside the restaurant that another motorcyclist escorted the victim outside to calm him down.
While outside of the restaurant the victim was approached by two Leesburg police officers who had been dispatched to the investigate the disturbance. Both the victim and Martinez told the officers that nothing had happened. After the officers left, Martinez came out of the restaurant and stared at him for 5-10 minutes before getting in his car and leaving.
The victim then mounted his motorcycle and started riding across Citrus Boulevard onto Martin Luther King Boulevard. He saw Martinez in front of him driving his car slowly in the far right west bound lane. As the motorcyclist attempted to pass him, Martinez swerved into his lane in an attempt to hit him. The victim accelerated to speeds approaching 90 miles per hour in an attempt to get away from Martinez. The pursuit was caught on a nearby store’s security video.
When the victim slowed for a stop sign at the intersection of Thomas Avenue and Martin Luther King Boulevard, Martinez intentionally rammed the back of the bike knocking the victim off the motorcycle. He slid through the intersection. Martinez car had struck a light pole after hitting the motorcycle. The victim was able to get to his feet and was trying to get some distance from Martinez who got out of his car and screamed, “I will kill you,” according to the probable cause affidavit.
Several bystanders arrived at the scene before Martinez could carry out his threats. An acquaintance of both the victim and Martinez arrived at the scene and the victim got her to drive him to UF Health-Leesburg Hospital. He was treated for a broken right arm, multiple contusions and abrasions on his right arm, right leg, left leg and lower right side of his back.
The victim’s 2016 Suzuki R 1000 motorcycle sustained significant damage.
Martinez was booked at the Lake County Jail on charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and criminal mischief over $1,000. He was released after posting $12,000 bond.
