Two friends leaving a Hell’s Kitchen bar were beaten unconscious, leaving one clinging to life, during a confrontation with a moped-riding menace who plowed into them as they rode on the sidewalk, police said Wednesday.
The friends left Rudy’s Bar & Grill and were walking to an Uber waiting for them on the sidewalk at 2:40 a.m. Tuesday when the attacker, riding a black moped on the sidewalk, struck the older man, shoving him with his arm.
Words were exchanged as the attacker walked past the two men, ages 38 and 56, then returned to them on Ninth Avenue near West 43rd Street.
The argument then escalated and the older victim was punched in the face and knocked unconscious by the moped driver.
The younger victim, who tried to intervene to prevent the attack, was also struck in the face and knocked unconscious, police said.
The younger victim was rushed to Bellevue Hospital in critical condition while his 56-year-old friend was taken to Mount Sinai West in stable condition.
The attacker fled and is being sought.
Police have released surveillance footage of the suspect and are asking for the public’s help in identifying and locating him.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.
