Police Arrest Suspects in Hit-and-Run of Protesters

Authorities in California have apprehended two individuals involved in a hit-and-run incident that occurred during a protest on Saturday. The driver, identified as Russell Prentiss, 58, from Riverside, allegedly drove into a crowd of protesters. The event has sparked significant online discussion, with some commentators suggesting that the driver’s actions were a reaction to being surrounded by aggressive demonstrators who were damaging his vehicle.

According to reports, the victim, 21-year-old Alexa Carrasco, suffered extensive injuries requiring multiple surgeries, and she has been placed in a medically induced coma. Friends described her condition as dire, citing serious injuries including punctured lungs and severe skull fractures.

In addition to Prentiss, police arrested another suspect, Kandase Wentzel, 39, who allegedly attempted to destroy evidence related to the incident. Reports suggest that Wentzel drove to a remote area to conceal evidence linked to the crime.

The Riverside Police Department indicated that they are still evaluating video footage of the incident, which took place around 9 PM at the intersection of University Avenue and Orange Street. The protests in Riverside saw participation from approximately 5,000 individuals, with only minor acts of vandalism reported, aside from the hit-and-run event.

A separate but similar incident occurred during a protest in Los Angeles, where another driver was filmed driving through a group of protesters, further highlighting concerns about safety during such events.