Former Beverly Hills 90210 star Ian Ziering is facing a civil lawsuit alleging battery, assault, and emotional distress stemming from a dramatic road rage confrontation on New Year's Eve 2023. The actor, famed for playing Steve Sanders, was reportedly travelling with his 12-year-old daughter in Los Angeles when the incident unfolded.
The Allegations: A Physical Confrontation on a Busy Street
According to legal documents obtained by PEOPLE, the complainant, Jacob Hernandez, states he and a friend were on motorbikes on a busy LA street. Hernandez claims they paused in front of Ziering's stationary Mercedes-Benz while attempting to change lanes, but were not impeding traffic.
The filing alleges that Ziering "suddenly exited the car" and began shouting at Hernandez before shoving him, "completely unprompted." This allegedly caused Hernandez to fall into his friend, leading to both motorbikes falling over. The complaint states the riders suffered injuries and the bikes were damaged.
It further describes a "melee" occurring after other individuals came to Hernandez's aid. The legal action accuses Ziering of intentional actions that posed a foreseeable risk of physical and emotional harm.
Conflicting Narratives and Legal Consequences
Hernandez's complaint takes issue with Ziering's public account of the event. He alleges the actor gave misleading information in interviews, on social media, and to law enforcement, which led to Hernandez's arrest. No criminal charges were ultimately brought against Hernandez.
"[Hernandez] had his name negatively plastered in the media as a result of the public megaphone which [Ziering] held," the filing states, claiming Ziering made Hernandez out to be the aggressor. The complainant says he now fears public humiliation and avoids social media.
He is seeking compensatory and punitive damages and has requested a jury trial for the charges, which also include intentional infliction of emotional distress and malicious prosecution.
Ziering's Defence: Citing "Hooliganism" and Public Safety
Ian Ziering's version of events, shared on social media on New Year's Day 2024, presents a different story. He described an "alarming incident" involving a group on mini bikes, stating one rider aggressively approached his car while he was stuck in traffic.
Ziering wrote that he exited his vehicle to assess potential damage, which then "escalated into a physical altercation, which I navigated to protect myself." He confirmed he and his daughter were unharmed but "deeply concerned."
The actor framed the event as part of a larger issue of "hooliganism" on public streets, criticising what he called insufficient responses from authorities. He urged city officials and law enforcement to take action to ensure community safety.
The case highlights a stark contrast between the two accounts of the New Year's Eve 2023 altercation, with the legal process now set to determine the facts.
