Trucker accused of shoving cop off of his truck at Chicago protest

A truck driver is facing a felony charge for allegedly shoving a police officer to the ground in Chicago over the weekend.

Forty-four year old Adam Kozielec faces a felony charge of aggravated battery to a peace officer as well as misdemeanor charges for reckless conduct and driving on a suspended license.

The charges stem from an incident that occurred on Saturday, June 13, in Chicago’s Little Village.

Kozielec allegedly drove around a police cruiser blocking traffic for a protest, ignoring orders from police to stop, then drove his semi “in the direction of a group of protesters in a reckless manner,” police said.

No one was struck or injured.

A Chicago Police Department deputy chief then stepped up on the truck and opened up the driver’s side door, ordering Kozielec out of the truck.

Kozielec reportedly shoved the deputy chief off the truck to the ground and was then arrested.

The deputy chief suffered only minor injuries in the fall.

Kozielec posted bail and was released from the Cook County jail on Monday. His next court appearance is scheduled for June 22.

The Chicago Tribune reports that the legal team representing Kozielec says that the driver was only trying to do his job and that his actions were not politically motivated.

Another trucker ran into trouble with protesters in Chicago’s Little Village earlier this month in an incident caught on video. You can click here to watch and learn more.