A jaw-dropping viral video out of Lake Nona shows a driver running a teenage bicyclist off the road and slapping him on Friday afternoon, an encounter that family members and the boy’s attorney say ended with the 15-year-old in the hospital.
The footage, which neighbors have been sharing nonstop, appears to show a pickup truck angling toward the rider near Laureate Park. The truck forces the teen and his bike into the grass, then the driver gets out and strikes him, all while the camera keeps rolling.
In a statement to WESH, attorney Rick Martindale said, “our client, a 15-year-old boy, was struck and forced off the road by a driver this afternoon in Lake Nona.” He added that the teen was transported to a hospital and is now recovering.
The cellphone clip captures a woman in the vehicle shouting “get the (expletive) out the way now” just before the confrontation, according to the video. Parents told reporters the group of teens had followed the driver after saying she had already swerved and nearly hit one of them earlier. The incident was first reported by WESH.
After the roadside clash, the injured 15-year-old was taken to a nearby hospital. Parents said officers later impounded several of the teens’ bikes, telling them the bikes were not street-legal. Authorities have not publicly released detailed information about any citations or criminal charges tied to the confrontation, and relatives say they are waiting on official updates before commenting further.
Rising Worries Over Youth Riders In Lake Nona
The slap caught on video is landing in a community that is already on edge about young riders and traffic safety.
In May, a crash that sent a 14-year-old to the hospital after a pickup struck him while he was riding an e-scooter in Lake Nona was reported by WFTV. Days later, residents gathered for a vigil after a 13-year-old died following an e-bike crash, according to ClickOrlando.
Police, Prosecutors And What Comes Next
Local attorneys and parents say the latest video should give investigators plenty to work with as they decide whether criminal or civil charges are appropriate. Initial local reporting indicates that when journalists contacted Orlando police, they were instructed to file public records requests. As of publication, police had not announced any charges related to the recording.
Neighbors say the clip has rattled them and reignited calls for clearer rules and enforcement around motorized bikes, traffic behavior and safe riding in Laureate Park. Families say they plan to watch closely to see whether prosecutors move forward with any case before deciding on possible civil actions or other next steps.
