Volunteer at San Joaquin River Parkway beaten by dirt biker, he says. Police investigate
A Fresno volunteer who cleans up along the San Joaquin River said he was beaten and dragged by a dirt bike rider in the area on Sunday.
The confrontation happened about 5 p.m. Sunday towards the northwestern end of the section of the San Joaquin Parkway north of Palm and Nees avenues, according to Richard Sloan, co-founder of River Tree Volunteers.
The incident left Sloan with a fractured wrist and nose, he told The Bee on Monday.
Sloan, who visits the parkway daily, said he was checking on an area that had recently flooded to see if it was clear enough to tend to a riparian plant project when a man on a dirt bike passed by.
Motorized vehicles are not allowed in the parkway below the bluffs except on designated roadways, and signs are posted in the area.
“We have a very bad problem with dirt bikes — people riding around on them and destroying plants out there,” Sloan said.
Sloan said he could see the rider was headed back, so Sloan said, “I need to speak to you. He said, ‘I’m gonna kill you.’ “That’s all he said and he gunned his motorcycle at me.”
The dirt bike hit him and he somehow got wedged in the bike, which dragged him, he said.
Sloan said the rider started yelling at him to let go and began punching him, but Sloan said he was caught and it took a few moments to dislodge himself. The rider then left the area.
Sloan posted the incident on Facebook and it had gotten the attention of many readers, including the Central California Off-Road Cyclists.
A number of people believe they know the rider and have provided him the rider’s name, which he said he’ll pass on to police. He said he’s confident police will track down the man
“There’s no doubt in my mind,” he said.
Lt. Bill Dooley said police are looking into the incident and are asking anyway with information to report it.
Anyone with information is asked by police to call 559-621-7000. Anyone can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 559-498-7867.
This story was originally published June 26, 2023 at 12:40 PM.
