CHICAGO — A woman has been arrested after allegedly driving her car into a crowd of protesters during an anti-ICE demonstration in downtown Chicago earlier this month, authorities confirmed.
According to the Chicago Police Department, 30-year-old Deirdre Kemp has been charged with aggravated reckless driving causing bodily harm, aggravated fleeing from police, and driving on a suspended license. She also received two citations in connection to the incident. Kemp was taken into custody last Thursday.
The incident took place on June 10, as thousands of demonstrators gathered in downtown Chicago to protest ICE raids. The peaceful demonstration turned chaotic when a maroon-colored sedan drove into the crowd on Monroe Street.
The car struck 66-year-old Heather Blair, who suffered a broken arm. Blair, who is hard of hearing, told Fox 32 she did not hear the vehicle approaching but recalled seeing it moments before the collision.
“I saw it (the vehicle). My husband got out of the way. I think I blacked out,” Blair said.
The demonstration, which had been largely peaceful, escalated as tensions flared between protesters and police, with some individuals reportedly throwing bottles and other objects at officers.
Sky Fox aerial footage showed the suspect vehicle as it was tracked across the city, eventually coming to a stop in the West Loop area. The car appeared to have a broken window, and people were seen pushing it.
Fortunately, no other injuries were reported. Chicago police continue to investigate the incident.
