LOS ANGELES - An emergency room doctor was convicted yesterday of assault with a deadly weapon for swerving his car in front of two cyclists on a Brentwood road, causing them to hit the back of the sedan.
Dr. Christopher Thompson, 60, of Los Angeles, was also convicted of battery causing serious injury, reckless driving, and mayhem in the July 2008 incident.
Police said Thompson argued with the bikers on a narrow road before he slammed on the brakes in his red Infiniti. One of the bicyclists dislocated his shoulder. The other broke his teeth and has scars on his face.
Thompson could face 10 years in state prison.
For the past three weeks, Thompson’s trial has drawn the attention of cyclists nationwide, at a time when more people are turning to two wheels for commuting and recreation. Cyclists are asserting their rights as never before. In Los Angeles, advocates are pushing for more bike lanes and other road improvements, a Cyclists Bill of Rights, and more police protection.
Thompson contended that he never intended to hurt anyone and that the crash was a terrible accident. His lawyer sought to portray the riders in the case as foul-mouthed road hogs with little respect for motorists. The doctor testified that he and his neighbors were upset at cyclists running stop signs and blocking motorists by riding side by side.
The victims were among a group of more than 200 cyclists who took part in a holiday ride on July 4 last year.
