‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ Star Faces Battery and Assault Allegations After 2023 Biker Incident
Ian Ziering, best known for his role on Beverly Hills, 90210, is facing a civil lawsuit accusing him of battery, assault, and other claims following an alleged New Year’s Eve incident in Los Angeles.
According to a civil complaint reviewed by PEOPLE, the plaintiff, 20-year-old Jacob Hernandez, claims Ziering physically and verbally attacked him during what he describes as a road rage confrontation on December 31, 2023.
The complaint states that Hernandez and a friend were riding motorbikes on a busy street when they paused in front of a stopped Mercedes-Benz driven by Ziering.
Hernandez says he was not blocking traffic. The filing alleges that Ziering suddenly exited the vehicle and started yelling at him. Hernandez did not respond, but Ziering allegedly shoved him, causing both riders to fall and their bikes to be damaged. Both sustained injuries, the complaint claims.
Hernandez says the incident escalated into a larger confrontation with bystanders who came to his aid, and that parts of the altercation were captured on video. “[Ziering’s] actions were intentional, unnecessary, and posed a foreseeable risk of physical and emotional harm, which [Hernandez] in fact suffered,” the filing says.
The complaint also accuses Ziering of using his celebrity status to shape the story in the media and omitting key details in interviews and social media posts.
Hernandez claims that because of Ziering’s public statements, he was arrested in May 2024 and held on $50,000 bail. The District Attorney later decided not to pursue a criminal case against him. Hernandez says the arrest and negative publicity caused severe mental health issues, including anxiety, panic attacks, and paranoia. He alleges, “[Ziering’s] story was publicized vilifying [Hernandez].”
At the time of the incident, Ziering was seen in videos surrounded by people on mini-bikes before a fight broke out while he was with his 10-year-old daughter, Penna. The LAPD described the situation as a physical altercation between Ziering and several members of a minibike group. The department said Ziering’s vehicle was damaged, but he and his daughter were not seriously hurt.
Ziering addressed the situation on Instagram on January 1, 2024, writing that he had “experienced an alarming incident involving a group of individuals on mini bikes.”
He explained that the confrontation began when he was approached aggressively while stuck in traffic. “In an attempt to assess any damage I exited my car. This action, unfortunately, escalated into a physical altercation, which I navigated to protect myself,” he said. He added that the incident left him “deeply concerned about the growing boldness of such groups who disrupt public safety and peace.”
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