A man has been arrested after allegedly driving his SUV into a crowd of protesters in Riverside, California, injuring a 21-year-old woman who is now in critical condition. The incident occurred during a “No Kings” protest on Saturday night.
Russell Prentice, 58, faces charges of assault with a deadly weapon and hit and run causing injury. He was taken into custody and booked at the Robert Presley Detention Center. The woman who was struck, identified as Alexa Carrasco by a friend, was taken to the hospital and remains in the intensive care unit with serious injuries, including severe skull damage and a punctured lung.
Witnesses say the protest was peaceful when the black SUV drove toward the crowd on University Avenue. Video footage shows demonstrators surrounding the vehicle before it accelerated, hitting Carrasco around 9:10 p.m. Police believe Prentice fled the scene immediately after the incident.
Candase Wenzel, 39, was also arrested for allegedly helping to move the SUV over 30 miles away to a remote area in Phelan, where she is accused of trying to destroy evidence.
Carrasco’s friend, Leslie Hernandez, created a GoFundMe page to help with medical expenses. She described Carrasco as a loving and outgoing person who was proud to stand up for her beliefs. “She did not deserve what happened to her,” Hernandez said.
At the time of the incident, there were two protests happening nearby, one focused on the “No Kings” movement and the other against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids. The two groups merged early in the evening, but authorities have stated there is no evidence to suggest that Prentice was involved in the protests.
Riverside Police Chief Larry Gonzalez thanked the community for their tips that led to the identification and arrest of Prentice. The police continue to seek more information about the incident and encourage anyone with details to come forward.