Retired New York Man Charged With Murder After Fatal Alleged Road Rage Incident Involving Motorcyclist
SCIO, N.Y. — A shocking road rage incident has left a Bronx man dead and a retired upstate New Yorker facing a second-degree murder charge after he allegedly used his pickup truck to intentionally pin a motorcyclist against a guardrail. The deadly encounter occurred around 2:14 p.m. on Friday, April 25, 2025, along a roadway in western New York.
According to state police, 64-year-old Brian Noll, a resident of Scio, New York, was driving a 2022 Ford F-150 when he allegedly swerved into 29-year-old Ibis Alex Baez, who was riding a 2016 Kawasaki motorcycle. The collision reportedly crushed Baez against a metal guardrail, resulting in fatal injuries. Emergency responders pronounced Baez dead at the scene.
Noll, who had recently retired and moved upstate from Long Island, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in what authorities have described as a deliberate act of violence. He was arraigned on Saturday and pleaded not guilty to the charge. He is currently being held in jail pending further legal proceedings.
Noll’s attorney has strongly disputed the official version of events, painting a drastically different picture. Speaking to News12 Long Island, the unnamed attorney claimed the incident was “an unfortunate accident” and alleged that Baez was “riding his motorcycle in the most reckless of ways.”
According to the defense’s account, Baez became angry over a traffic interaction and pulled his motorcycle alongside Noll’s pickup truck. The lawyer alleged that Baez attempted to damage the truck’s side mirror during the confrontation, removing one hand from the throttle to do so, which caused both vehicles to lose control and led to the tragic outcome. The defense emphasized Noll’s clean record and peaceful character, calling him a “64-year-old grandfather” who “worked his entire life, attended church, and was returning to visit family when this happened.”
However, those who knew Ibis Baez are rejecting any suggestion that he would have provoked violence. Goldwynn Redding, Baez’s brother-in-law, told The New York Post that the young man had “a gentle spirit” and was not someone who would initiate confrontation. “He was respectful, hardworking, and humble,” Redding said, visibly shaken by the loss. “He wasn’t the kind of guy who would get into a fight over traffic.”
Baez, the youngest in a large and close-knit family, had four sisters and a brother. He worked as an HVAC installer and was known among friends and family for his love of fishing and the outdoors. Friends have described him as kind-hearted, easygoing, and family-oriented — a man who enjoyed quiet weekends and was always willing to lend a hand to those in need.
The tragic incident has ignited deep emotions in both communities. In the Bronx, where Baez lived, grief and anger have spread among residents who see his death as a senseless and avoidable tragedy. Meanwhile, in Allegany County, where the alleged incident took place, residents are grappling with the shocking reality that a retired neighbor now stands accused of murder.
The investigation remains active. Authorities are reviewing surveillance footage, dashcam videos, and witness statements to determine the precise chain of events that led to Baez’s death. New York State Police have not commented on the defense’s version of the incident, saying only that evidence gathered thus far supports the charge of second-degree murder.
The case underscores the devastating consequences that road rage can have and serves as a grim reminder of how a single moment on the road can forever alter lives. As legal proceedings move forward, Baez’s family is preparing to lay him to rest, heartbroken over a life cut tragically short.
A memorial service for Ibis Baez is expected to be held in the Bronx later this week, where friends, family, and community members will gather to honor the young man’s life and legacy. A GoFundMe page has been established to assist with funeral expenses and to support Baez’s family during this incredibly difficult time.
The court has not yet set a date for Noll’s next hearing. He remains in custody, and if convicted, could face 25 years to life in prison.