One person was killed and 19 others were injured after a car plowed into a crowd of counter-protesters marching against a “pro-white” rally Saturday in Charlottesville, Va., witnesses and officials said.
Video of the terrifying moment shows at least one person being tossed into the air as the silver Dodge Charger mowed into the crowd.
Even as we protect free speech and assembly, we must condemn hatred, violence and white supremacy. #Charlottesville — Bill Clinton (@billclinton) August 12, 2017
Even as we protect free speech and assembly, we must condemn hatred, violence and white supremacy. #Charlottesville
— Bill Clinton (@billclinton) August 12, 2017
“Yeah, it was intentional,” said witness Dan Miller. “About 40 miles an hour, hit about 15-20 people, crashed into the two cars in front of it, and then backed up and sped away while cops were standing on the side of the road and didn’t do anything.”
Terrified screams replaced chants as the peaceful marchers dove out of the way of the crash.
An Associated Press reporter saw at least one person on the ground receiving medical treatment.
“I am heartbroken that a life has been lost here. I urge all people of good will–go home,” Charlottesville mayor Mike Signer tweeted about an hour after the horrifying crash.
University of Virginia Medical Center spokeswoman Angela Taylor confirmed one person was killed and 19 others were being treated for injuries at the hospital.
second video shows the silver car reversing down several blocks, its front bumper dragging along the ground, as the driver flees the scene of the carnage.
Virginia Secretary of Public Safety Brian Moran said the driver, a man, has been arrested. Moran did not immediately provide a name of the driver.
Tensions in the Southern city had already been high as protesters and opponents clashed early ahead of a massive gathering of white nationalists, neo-Confederates and alt-right activists.
Thousands of protesters and opponents descended upon the usually sleepy college town of Charlottesville, hours after torch-carrying of white supremacists marched through the campus of the University of Virginia.
At least two people were injured earlier as demonstrators, many clad in combat and Nazi gear, with the “Unite the Right” rally and opponents stormed into a downtown park and used pepper spray on one another, officials said.
“There was someone in a dark vehicle that sped, very quickly, down this road and rammed into the crowd,” witness Nic McCarthy told C-VILLE Weekly. “People… He backed up and he went back in again.”
McCarthy said he wasn’t sure how many people were injured.
