What to Know
- Chevy Chase was kicked by a driver in New York after the two had gotten into a heated altercation, according to police
- Officials say the actor and comedian was hit in the shoulder by a 22-year-old Long Island man after Chase was allegedly cut off by him
- The driver contends the kick was self-defense because Chase threw a punch first
Actor Chevy Chase was kicked in the shoulder during a road rage dispute with another driver near the new Tappan Zee Bridge earlier this month, according to state police.
Authorities said that the "National Lampoon's Vacation" actor, who lives in Bedford, was heading north on Interstate 87 when he said he was cuft off by another driver.
Chase began flashing his lights at the other driver's pickup truck and followed him until both their vehicles pulled over near exit 10 in South Nyack, according to state troopers.
Chase and a person in the truck -- later identified as Michael Landrio of East Patchogue -- got out and began arguing, troopers said. At some point, the 22-year-old wound up and kicked Chase in the shoulder.
Landrio later told the New York Post that Chase asked him, his girlfriend and another couple in the car "Do you know who the f--- I am?" and threatened to ruin their lives. He added that Chase took a swing at him first, but missed.
He told the Post he didn't even know he was dealing with the "Saturday Night Live" and "Caddyshack" star until after a responding officer told him that he had attacked the famous actor.
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“I looked him up on Google and I still didn’t know who he was,” he told the Post. “He didn’t look like he looked when he made his movies.”
Landrio was charged with second-degree harassment, but was released with a desk appearance ticket. Chase wasn't charged.
Chase's representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.
