Former Beverly Hills 90210 actor Ian Ziering is facing a serious civil lawsuit filed by one of the bikers involved in a widely publicised roadside confrontation that occurred on New Year's Eve 2023. The plaintiff, Jacob Hernandez, accuses the Sharknado star of assault, battery, and malicious prosecution, among other charges.
The Incident and Conflicting Narratives
The altercation took place on December 31, 2023, in the 6800 block of Hollywood Boulevard. Video footage captured Ziering, 60, clashing with a group of mini-bike riders while he was in traffic with his daughter, Penna. In a statement the following day, Ziering claimed he "was approached aggressively by one of these riders leading to an unsettling confrontation" and exited his car to assess potential damage, which then escalated.
However, the new lawsuit, filed in LA County, presents a starkly different account. Hernandez, who was 20 at the time, alleges he was riding with a friend and paused his bike in front of Ziering's Mercedes-Benz in stopped traffic. The suit claims Ziering "suddenly exited the car", began yelling, and then shoved Hernandez "completely unprompted", causing him and the bikes to fall. This allegedly triggered a wider melee involving other individuals who came to Hernandez's aid.
Legal Allegations and Fallout
Jacob Hernandez's civil complaint levies accusations of assault, battery, malicious prosecution, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and negligent infliction of emotional distress. A central claim is that Ziering used his celebrity status to control the media narrative, giving interviews and posting on social media in a way that falsely painted Hernandez as the aggressor.
The lawsuit further states that "misleading information" provided by Ziering to law enforcement led to Hernandez's arrest. He was held on $50,000 bail before being released. Although the District Attorney did not pursue a criminal case the following month, Hernandez claims severe repercussions, including significant mental health issues like anxiety, panic attacks, and paranoia due to the arrest and negative public portrayal.
Seeking Damages and a Jury Trial
Hernandez, who was one of two people arrested (reportedly for felony vandalism), is now seeking compensatory and punitive damages through a jury trial. The suit argues Ziering's actions were "intentional, unnecessary, and posed a foreseeable risk of physical and emotional harm". It details that both Hernandez and his friend suffered injuries and vehicle damage during the fight.
The legal filing emphasises the personal toll, stating Hernandez fears leaving his home due to public humiliation and avoids social media because of the vilification he allegedly suffered from Ziering's version of events. Representatives for Ian Ziering have been contacted for comment regarding the new lawsuit but have not yet responded.
