It was a minor fender bender in West Baltimore that turned into a violent attack.
Investigators said Saturday afternoon, an off-duty police detective was driving on Riggs Avenue when she hit a dirt bike riding on North Monroe Street.
"We know once that collision happened, the detective got out of her vehicle in an attempt to render aid, just to make sure everybody was okay, and that's when the detective was assaulted by at least two individuals," Baltimore Police Detective, Jeremy Silbert said.
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At some point, she identified herself as an officer. But it's not clear when that happened or how many people attacked the detective. By the time police got on scene, everyone was gone.
"The detective was injured in the incident, she went to the hospital,” Silbert said. “Fortunately, she's okay, she suffered an injury to her leg."
So far, no one has been arrested, but investigators were able to track down one of the dirt bikes involved. Turns out, it was stolen last year.
This is the third time in two weeks someone was injured because of run-ins with dirt bikes. On June 10, a woman walking down Pratt Street was run over, and on June 11, a driver was beaten after crashing with a rider on South Monroe Street.
"When we talk about the number of people who have been injured and even killed because of dirt bikes riding in the city, it's very concerning, and it's unacceptable,” Silbert said. “We need the communities help to find these bikes."
Every year people are seriously hurt, and even killed by street bikes and ATVs speeding down the street, weaving in and out of traffic and performing dangerous tricks.
"My God Sister was at the Cold Spring Station subway station, and while on the parking lot a dirt bike rider was doing a wheelie, and as he was doing a wheelie, he hit her," Lorren Hayman told ABC2 News in March.
Allison Blanding, 23, passed away the next day. Since that April tragedy, city leaders and the police department have cracked down on the illegal riding.
Last August, helicopters and officers in riot gear were called out to Reisterstown Road after hundreds gathered to watch the popular Sunday rides and got out of control. For weeks afterwards, roadblocks were set up to keep the spectators and riders away.
"Our number one concern is public safety,” Baltimore Police Spokesperson, T.J. Smith told ABC2 News at the time. “We're not gonna chase after these riders, but at the same time we don't want them recklessly riding around the community."
There is a no chase policy in the city.
A resolution in City Council to build a dirt bike park has been in committee since March.
Police Commissioner Kevin Davis recently brought together a task force to fight back against the illegal riding. More details are expected to be released in the next few weeks.
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