18-year-old Anthony Marcuzzo was charged with four counts of reckless endangerment and reckless driving after driving into a group of protestors in the Cooper-Young neighborhood with a Chevrolet Tahoe.
On June 5th, officers arrived on the scene as protestors gathered at the intersection of Blythe St and Young Ave to speak out against racial injustice. During the protest, multiple participants were acting as traffic control while demonstrators began to enter the streets. According to the affidavit, Anthony Marcuzzo attempted to drive his Chevrolet Tahoe past the protestors.
Four individuals claimed to have been hit by the vehicle, including Erin Dempsey, Mark Harrison as well as Shiloh and Lydia Barnat. Eyewitnesses confirmed that the Tahoe drove into the demonstrators. Dempsey was reportedly moved 20 feet when hit, due to hanging on to the Tahoe’s side mirror. Marcuzzo was later identified and brought into custody for driving without a license and improper passing.
That Saturday, investigators brought in the four victims, who were all able to confirm Marcuzzo via a photograph spread as the man who struck them the day before. Video surveillance later revealed Marcuzzo driving into the opposite lane of traffic in order to pass a halted vehicle.
After passing the stopped vehicle, the Tahoe returned to the correct lane of traffic and drove towards the demonstrators, who were attempting to block his path. Despite the human barricade, Marcuzzo allegedly approached and drove into the four victims. Erin Dempsey would later be transported to Methodist University hospital for minor bruising to her left leg and forearm. Other individuals were reportedly struck by the vehicle but denied medical attention.
On June 6th, Anthony Marcuzzo was arrested and charged with four counts of reckless endangerment and one count of reckless driving. He was later released on his own recognizance.
