Woman dubbed ‘minivan Karen’ after she drove into a group of protesters in Indianapolis is charged with criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon
- A group of about 50 protesters were wrapping up a peaceful demonstration in Indianapolis, Indiana at about 8.30pm on June 8
- Diane Goebel, 68, said she was trying to get around traffic when she came upon the protesters
- After two pedestrians stood in front of her car, Goebel moved forward, taking some of the group with her
- Four people were injured in the incident but the extent of their injuries are unknown
- Goebel, dubbed ‘minivan Karen’, was charged on Friday
A woman who was dubbed ‘minivan Karen’ after she drove into a crowd of protesters in Indianapolis has been indicted.
On Friday, 68-year-old Diane Goebel was charged with a level 6 felony count of criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon.
The horrifying moment was captured on video around 8.30pm on Monday, June 8, as demonstrators peacefully held a rally in the city center against police brutality and racial inequality.
Suddenly, a gray minivan is seen striking multiple individuals as it attempts to drive through the group of pedestrians.
At least four people were injured, but it remains unclear what the extent of their injuries are.
A woman who was dubbed ‘minivan Karen’ after she drove into a crowed of protesters (left and right) in Indianapolis has been indicted. The incident occurred around 8.30pm on Monday, June 8, when a group of about 50 protesters were wrapping up a peaceful demonstration
Diane Goebel, 68, said she was trying to get around traffic when she came upon the protesters and only moved forward after pedestrians blocked her car
Some of the group of about 50 protesters told WISH-TV that when the incident occurred they were holding a peacefully rally that was winding down.
Suddenly, a Toyota Sierra minivan was seen speeding through the gathering.
The video, which was uploaded to Facebook immediately after the fact, has been viewed more than 64,000 times.
‘WOOOOOW, So me & my daughter are down here protesting and this B***h runs through the crowd why we are PEACEFULLY protesting. This is crazy,’ a caption accompanying the clip concerns.
But Goebel said she and a friend were on a drive and she was trying to get around standstill traffic when she came up on the protesters.
‘I very slowly just inched my way through the demonstrators,’ she told WISH-TV.
‘I did not hit anyone or plow into anyone. They jumped on the hood of my van.
‘Then they started kicking my van, broke two windows out on the passenger side, and threw water bottles and whatever at my van as I drove off.’
Police say that after the incident, Goebel drove away and immediately called 911.
According to court documents, viewed by the Indianapolis Star, Goebel was driving east when she met the group.
Four people were injured in the incident but the extent of their injuries are unknown. Pictured: Goebel’s car hitting the protesters
Goebel, dubbed ‘minivan Karen’, was charged on Friday and a level 6 felony count of criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon. Pictured: Protesters after the incident
The documents say that surveillance footage shows the 68-year-old trying to ‘move forward through a narrow gap in the pedestrians.’
That’s the moment when one demonstrator walked in front of her car, quickly followed by another demonstrator.
The Star says that court documents reveal the minivan ‘continues to slowly roll forward’ as pedestrians have their backs up against the car.
Goebel’s minivan suddenly stops before moving again, taking the protesters with it.
A hearing has not yet been scheduled for the case, which has been filed in Marion Superior Court Criminal Division 10.
It’s not immediately clear if Goebel has retained an attorney.