FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (WJW) — A suburban Cleveland teenager is facing criminal charges in Florida for an alleged unprovoked attack on legendary Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen.
Max Hartley, 19, of Avon, faces two counts of battery, four counts of criminal mischief and abuse of a disabled adult for the attack on Allen.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida police say Allen and Def Leppard were performing at a South Florida casino this weekend. Investigators say Allen was standing outside a hotel smoking a cigarette when he was suddenly attacked by Hartley, who was visiting Florida on spring break.
Police say Hartley, a St. Ignatius graduate who played football and lacrosse for school, knocked Allen to the ground.
According to the police report, Allen hit his head on the ground, causing injuries.
Police say he is then charged with knocking a woman trying to help Allen to the ground, hitting her with her fists. When she tried to escape, police said Hartley was accused of grabbing her by the hair and dragging her out of the hotel before fleeing.
Police say Hartley was then restrained by witnesses after he began smashing car windows and attempted to break into a restaurant.
Allen is a rock legend and his life story has been an inspiration to people all over the world. In 1984, Allen’s left arm was severed in a car accident in England.
Despite losing his arm, Allen decided to continue playing drums and since then he has been able to play using a specially designed electronic drum kit.
Def Leppard was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2019.
Allen gave a statement to the police confirming that he is pressing charges.
It is unclear whether drugs or alcohol may have played a role in Hartley’s driving.