Driver Of Minivan Charged With Criminal Recklessness Following Incident With Protesters

UPDATE: June 12, 2020 

Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears announced Friday that the driver of a minivan involved an incident with protesters on Monument Circle earlier in the week will face a criminal charge.

Diane Goebel, 68, has been charged with criminal recklessness for allegedly striking several people with her vehicle while attempting to drive through a group of protesters just before 8:30 p.m. on June 8.

According to the prosecutor's office, at least four people sustained injuries as a result of the collision. An Initial Hearing has not been scheduled.

Original post June 8, 2020

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The driver of a minivan struck several people protesting on Monument Circle in Indianapolis Monday night. 

No one was believed to be seriously injured in the 8:30 p.m. Monday collision, Indianapolis police Officer Genae Cook told The Indianapolis Star.

The minivan pulled from behind a truck that was backing up after being blocked by some protesters in the street, Shakeela Dozier, 21, of Indianapolis, told the newspaper. Dozier said she was among a group of protesters at the city’s Monument Circle.

Video taken by a bystander shows what appears to be at least three people striking the hood of the minivan before it drove away.

“There was damage done to the vehicle and the vehicle attempted to leave the area," Cook said.

The minivan driver was located and was cooperating with police, Cook added.

Monday was the 11th night of protests in Indianapolis drawing attention to racial injustice, police brutality, and the deaths of Dreasjon "Sean" Reed -- who was shot by an Indianapolis police officer on May 6 -- and George Floyd -- who died May 25 after an Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into Floyd's neck for several minutes even after the handcuffed black man pleaded for air and stopped moving.

The death of Floyd on May 25 in Minneapolis sparked international protests and has drawn new attention to the treatment of African Americans in the U.S. by police and the criminal justice system.