Minnesota authorities will not bring charges against any of the protesters who attacked and injured a truck driver.
On Sunday, May 31, truck driver Bogdan Vechirko’s truck encountered protesters on the Interstate 35 west Bridge. When the truck came to a stop, protesters began beating him.
Bystanders and police quickly intervened and Vechirko was taken into custody. Vechirko suffered cuts to his face, and his wallet and phone were stolen from his truck.
The highway was scheduled to be barricaded and closed off to traffic; however, it wasn’t — allowing multiple vehicles, including Vechriko’s truck, to enter the road way and putting protesters in danger.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said that their focus to was determine the intent of Vechriko’s actions. During that investigation, Vechriko told authorities he did not wish to pursue charges against those who assaulted him.
Vechriko was released from custody on Tuesday; however, authorities are still investigating the incident and possible charges may still be brought against him.
“State Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington at first seemed to exonerate Vechirko on Monday and said he ‘panicked’ and wasn’t aiming for the protesters. But he reversed course a day later, saying, ‘we are certainly getting to the right charge that holds him accountable,;” the Star Tribune reported.