Charlottesville, VA — (RT) A car has plowed into a group of counter-protesters at a ‘Unite the Right’ rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, RT journalist on the scene said, adding that there are “extremely heavy injuries.”
Video footage taken at the scene shows a damaged light-colored Toyota vehicle and a larger dark-colored SUV at the scene.
#BREAKING: I just watched a car plow through dozens of protesters. Extremely heavy injuries #Charlottesvillepic.twitter.com/rE8DWUmrfD
— Alex Rubinstein (@RealAlexRubi) August 12, 2017
Police have cordoned off the scene.
“Please avoid area of 4th and water streets — multiple injuries after crash — cpd and va. state police responding,” Charlottesville police said on Facebook.
Video footage posted on Facebook shows the moment the dark gray car rams into the light gray car before violently reversing.
A number of people appear to be thrown into the air with the force of the crash. The street was crowded with demonstrators at the time.
.@intelwire #Charlottesville See actual footage of cars plowing into protesters at 2:35 into video here. Bad! https://t.co/XzTBL53HO8
— Barb (@my2cnz) August 12, 2017
A witness told Ruptly he saw several people lying on the ground, being treated by medics.
Armed protesters with #UniteTheRight arguing with #DefendCville protesters #Charlottesvillepic.twitter.com/MB913vMU8R
— Alex Rubinstein (@RealAlexRubi) August 12, 2017
Charlottesville City Hall tweeted authorities were responding to a “three vehicle crash” at Water and 4th Street, and that “several pedestrians” were struck and multiple injuries have been reported.
CPD & VSP respond to 3-vehicle crash at Water & 4th streets. Several pedestrians struck. Multiple injuries. 1/2 #cvilleaug12pic.twitter.com/CJNTLIAuEp
— Charlottesville City (@CvilleCityHall) August 12, 2017
As the story develops, more content is being shared online of the incident. Footage taken by Brennan Gilmore, former chief of staff to gubernatorial candidate Tom Perriello, shows the vehicle speeding towards the demonstrators as people can be heard screaming.
Moments later, the same car is seen reversing rapidly away from the scene of the crash.
Video of car hitting anti-racist protestors. Let there be no confusion: this was deliberate terrorism. My prayers with victims. Stay home. pic.twitter.com/MUOZs71Pf4
— Brennan Gilmore (@brennanmgilmore) August 12, 2017
Protesters try to chase down #UniteTheRight caravan after one car hit at least two people pic.twitter.com/v7Rr3DqVOO
— Alex Rubinstein (@RealAlexRubi) August 12, 2017
Huge #antifa march through #Charlottesvillepic.twitter.com/YUc4pqUNIp
— Alex Rubinstein (@RealAlexRubi) August 12, 2017
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