CHICAGO A woman was injured Tuesday afternoon after she was struck by a car as a group of anti-ICE protestors moved through downtown Chicago.
According to Chicago police, the crash unfolded around 6:30 p.m. in the 100 block of East Monroe Street amid a large anti-ICE protest.
Officers said the victim, a 66-year-old woman identified as Heather Blair, was standing in the roadway when she was struck by an unknown vehicle.
Blair, a retired federal worker, spoke with affiliate WGN-TV on Wednesday and said she attended the protest with her husband. As it went on, both of them noticed the protest was getting more tense than those they’ve attended in the past, so they kept their distance.
That’s when she saw the car accelerating toward them.
“Because it was accelerating and not just driving at a steady pace or a slow pace, I thought this is an attack,” Blair said.
She told WGN-TV she suffered a fracture to her arm, bruising to her ribs and damage to her teeth. She was taken to Northwestern Hospital where she was treated and released early Wednesday morning.
While police have not specifically confirmed that the crash unfolded during the protest, WGN-TV’s cameras were rolling on the scene when a car narrowly missed protesters gathered in the area.
“It just happens too fast for emotions. It’s like, get out of the way and I don’t remember being hit. I guess I came to when people were getting me to the sidewalk,” Blair recalled.
A WGN-TV employee said he saw the car parked first on State and Monroe, adding that the driver appeared to be taunting officers with a can of spray paint before she got in the car and drove through the protest.
A reporter with the Chicago Sun-Times said they saw police officers trying to guide the driver away from the crowds, but she did not listen.
“I was really close to – there was a family with a little girl and God, it just makes me scared thinking about that,” Blair said.
No other injuries were reported and no arrests have been made.
Blair said she hopes demonstrators are more peaceful at future protests. Tuesday’s protest got off to a peaceful start, but things took a tense turn as some people vandalized property and clashed with police officers.
She added she’s in good spirits, but hopes the person responsible will be held accountable.
In total, Chicago police arrested 17 people; 10 of them were charged with misdemeanors and another four were charged with felonies. Of the remaining three people arrested, two have pending charges against them, while the third person was cited for possession of paint/marker with intent to deface.
Sources told WGN-TV 10 city buses and 13 CPD vehicles were damaged by spray paint.
Another protest is expected to draw thousands of people this coming weekend. Blair has a message for those going.
“Bring your signs, bring your chants and bring your peace. Be peaceful. That’s what we’re all about,” she said.
An investigation into the crash is now underway.
