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Driver who hit protester tells police she 'feared for her life'

The driver said protesters assaulted her, pulling out a dreadlock, before she drove off and hit a protester Wednesday morning.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville Metro police said no charges have been filed against the driver of a car that hit a protester in downtown Louisville Wednesday morning after she was identified.

Multiple videos captured the 46-year-old woman hit a protester with her car and driving off after several people attempted to stop her from continuing on Liberty Street.

A video provided to WHAS11 shows protesters telling a different car to turn around before her car approaches the intersection. Protesters then tell her to turn around, however her car does not move.

Three protesters can be seen gathering at the driver's window, though it is not clear what was said. In an arrest citation, the woman said they reached into her car, scratched her window and assaulted her, pulling out a dreadlock. The video shows the driver back up her car as the altercation takes place.

According to the arrest citation, the driver said she saw one person with a gun and drove forward, stating that "she was in fear for her life."

Louisville Metro police released footage captured on Real Crime Center cameras that shows the moment she drove off as several protesters run toward her car. The driver hits one person and continues down Liberty Street.

Cameras then captured the aftermath of the crash, showing people run down Liberty Street after the car. In a later recording, a different protester runs to the car and appears to point a gun at the driver. She drives away.

An LMPD detective said they witnessed Darius Anderson with the gun. The detective said Anderson passed it off to Brionna Richards, "who then hid the gun in a vehicle." The vehicle was searched, and a gun was found, the arrest citation says. Police said Anderson and Richards admitted to the incident.

Both Anderson and Richards have been charged with rioting, tampering with physical evidence, disorderly conduct and obstructing a highway. Anderson was also charged with wanton endangerment and third-degree criminal mischief.

LMPD said the Jefferson County Attorney's Office is reviewing the case to determine if any charges will be filed against the driver.

The person who was hit can be seen getting up in one of the videos, though it is unclear what injuries they may have from the incident.

LMPD also said 17 people were arrested Wednesday morning. Police said officers confiscated one gun and towed five cars.

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