Ian Ziering Faces Lawsuit Following New Year’s Eve Incident
Actor Ian Ziering is now involved in a civil lawsuit due to a confrontation that occurred in Hollywood on New Year’s Eve 2023.
The lawsuit, filed by Jacob Hernandez, a motorcycle rider, alleges that Ziering pushed him off his bike during a car accident two years prior. The complaint, submitted on December 29, cites claims of assault, battery, emotional distress, malicious prosecution, and negligence against Ziering.
Hernandez contends that Ziering, leveraging his celebrity status, misrepresented himself as the victim in the situation. He claims these false accusations led to his arrest and imprisonment, causing lasting psychological and physical damage.
According to the complaint, Hernandez was riding a minibike when traffic forced him to halt between two vehicles. Ziering, emerging from his car without any provocation, allegedly shoved Hernandez twice and knocked over Hernandez’s female companion. Their heated exchange turned into a physical altercation, which was recorded on video.
Months after the incident, the Los Angeles Police Department apprehended Ziering on suspicion of assault.
A press release from the LAPD noted that the confrontation began over claims of damage to the vehicle, prompting several other minibike riders to join in and attack Hernandez.
Video footage, obtained by TMZ, shows Ziering’s car surrounded by several minibikers on Hollywood Boulevard, with Ziering exiting his vehicle. He appeared to gesture at one of the bikers who had parked in front of him. The video captures the moment when multiple individuals began throwing punches at Ziering, who then dashed back across the street with the group in pursuit.
Following the incident, Hernandez and another individual, Angie Teresa Guizar, were identified as suspects. Hernandez was charged with felony criminal damage to property, whereas Guizar faced charges of assault with a deadly weapon. Those charges were eventually dismissed, as indicated in Hernandez’s lawsuit.
Hernandez claims that Ziering knowingly misled law enforcement to evade responsibility, resulting in his wrongful arrest and imprisonment.
In his complaint, Hernandez pointed out Ziering’s celebrity status, alleging that the actor took advantage of it to manipulate media portrayals. Ziering reportedly appeared on numerous news outlets, conveying statements regarding the events without acknowledging his role in instigating the situation.
Hernandez asserts that Ziering consistently misrepresented the truth about the incident, spreading false claims on social media platforms, including Instagram, to his large following.
Representatives for Ziering have been contacted for their response to these allegations.
