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sarisataka

(18,202 posts)
Sun May 31, 2020, 07:03 PM May 2020

UPDATE: Driver of tanker truck that drove through crowd of protesters on the I-35W bridge identified

As protesters took to I-35W in Minneapolis, a semi-truck was seen driving into the crowd.

It is unclear if any demonstrator was hit.

Protesters then began to approach to get into the semi.


Unconfirmed reports the driver was dragged from the truck, beaten and some attempted to throw him over the bridge.

Had been a peaceful march, probably 10k people.

Truck drove towards the crowd doing probably 40 mph. Freeway was supposed to be closed. It has not been determined how he got to that point.

Police disbursing crowd with gas and flashbangs


Link to coverage and possible video https://kstp.com/news/marchers-on-the-move-after-peaceful-justice-for-george-floyd-rally-at-capitol-in-st-paul/5747223/?cat=1

9:22 p.m.

Authorities have identified a truck driver who was arrested after he drove through a crowd protesting on I-35W in Minneapolis as Bogdan Vechirko.

Vechirko has been booked in the Hennepin County Jail.
https://kstp.com/news/marchers-on-the-move-after-peaceful-justice-for-george-floyd-rally-at-capitol-in-st-paul/5747223/?cat=1
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UPDATE: Driver of tanker truck that drove through crowd of protesters on the I-35W bridge identified (Original Post) sarisataka May 2020 OP
Who let that idiot on the road? rockfordfile May 2020 #1
He is on a highway, where the cars normally drive. LisaL May 2020 #2
Yes. cwydro May 2020 #3
The highway is closed. The truck shouldn't have been there The Velveteen Ocelot May 2020 #4
Why are people protesting on the freeway...are you seriously asking that question? pecosbob May 2020 #5
Police had closed the freeway at 5 pm sarisataka May 2020 #6
There were other cars on that freeway. LisaL May 2020 #11
The cars had been accompanying the marchers sarisataka May 2020 #12
More info: Another eyewitness talking to a ch. 11 reporter The Velveteen Ocelot May 2020 #7
that seems to jive with the footage mnmoderatedem May 2020 #9
That's quite a question. Christ. WhiskeyGrinder May 2020 #8
Who let sycophants cops killing blacks? mshasta May 2020 #16
Per media- driver has been arrested sarisataka May 2020 #10
video link mnmoderatedem May 2020 #13
More video from WCCO shows the truck slowing down The Velveteen Ocelot May 2020 #14
Added update nt sarisataka May 2020 #15
That guy was lucky there was a group of protesters who protected him from some of the Sapient Donkey May 2020 #17
That has been acknowledged by local media sarisataka May 2020 #18

LisaL

(44,962 posts)
2. He is on a highway, where the cars normally drive.
Sun May 31, 2020, 07:15 PM
May 2020

The question is, why are the people protesting on a highway.

The Velveteen Ocelot

(115,268 posts)
4. The highway is closed. The truck shouldn't have been there
Sun May 31, 2020, 07:23 PM
May 2020

and probably had to go around barriers. According to an eyewitness he was leaning on his horn, driving fast and went right into the crowd on the bridge.

sarisataka

(18,202 posts)
6. Police had closed the freeway at 5 pm
Sun May 31, 2020, 07:27 PM
May 2020

because of the protest. This occurred at least 45 minutes later.
The protest was given at least tacit permission to march on the interstate

sarisataka

(18,202 posts)
12. The cars had been accompanying the marchers
Sun May 31, 2020, 07:50 PM
May 2020

I do not know how they were related to the march or if they were media

The Velveteen Ocelot

(115,268 posts)
7. More info: Another eyewitness talking to a ch. 11 reporter
Sun May 31, 2020, 07:29 PM
May 2020

said he was among the protesters who pulled the driver out of the cab and helped get him to police, who arrested him. According to this guy, the driver said he was intending to intimidate the crowd but was not trying to hurt anyone. Ch. 11 is trying to confirm the story.

mnmoderatedem

(3,706 posts)
9. that seems to jive with the footage
Sun May 31, 2020, 07:40 PM
May 2020

I'm in Mpls, have seen the footage repeatedly on local TV. The tanker truck was barreling down the interstate, at first it looked like he was hellbent on plowing into protesters, then near the last minute, sort of looked like he thought the better of it and let up, and came to a standstill. Then protesters who had scattered in panic regrouped and converged on the driver's cab. Unclear what happened after that, but a bizarre and scary moment.

The Velveteen Ocelot

(115,268 posts)
14. More video from WCCO shows the truck slowing down
Sun May 31, 2020, 07:59 PM
May 2020

as people climbed onto the cab, then the truck sped up again with people on the hood.

Sapient Donkey

(1,568 posts)
17. That guy was lucky there was a group of protesters who protected him from some of the
Sun May 31, 2020, 10:55 PM
May 2020

protesters who likely would have hurt him really bad if they were not there. I hope he apologizes and then thanks those dudes (who he could have killed himself) that likely saved his life.


sarisataka

(18,202 posts)
18. That has been acknowledged by local media
Sun May 31, 2020, 10:59 PM
May 2020

and even Minneapolis PD tweeted about those who prevented violence here and at other protests.

I recognized a couple of them as organizers I have had some contact with- they are very good people and are dedicated to both justice and peace

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