Man Released From Jail After Driving U-Haul Into Crowd Of Protesters: LAPD

LOS ANGELES, CA — The man who was arrested on suspicion of driving a U-Haul truck into a crowd of protesters marching in Westwood has been released from custody after being booked on a misdemeanor charge of reckless driving.

The protesters were marching in Westwood in support of regime change in Iran. The crash occurred on Veteran Avenue shortly after 3:30 p.m. and was caught on video, which showed a U-Haul truck with a man riding on top accelerate into the crowd of marchers as onlookers screamed.

The driver — identified as 48-year-old Calor Madanescht — was detained at the scene. He was interviewed by the FBI and detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department's Major Crimes Division, according to the LAPD.

"The box truck was searched and impounded, with nothing significant being discovered. Detectives ... contacted possible victims from the incident, however, none reported being struck by the truck," reads the LAPD statement.

Madanescht was booked on a charge of reckless driving Monday morning, with bail set at $0. He was released on his own recognizance at around 2 p.m., according to jail records.

The LAPD is leading the investigation and will present the case to the City Attorney's office for filing consideration, according to police.

Madanescht was injured in an "altercation with some of the other protesters," LAPD Capt. Richard Gabaldon said.

A sign attached to the vehicle had a message reading: "No Shah. No Regime. USA: Don't Repeat 1953. No Mullah," according to reports from the scene.

The sign made references to Shah of Iran, who was overthrown in the 1979 Islamic Revolution, and the 1953 coup that ousted Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh.

City News Service contributed to this report.