U-Haul Drives Into Westwood Crowd During Protest; Driver Detained After Demonstrators Swarm Vehicle
On January 11, 2026, a U-Haul truck drove into more than 1,000 anti-Iranian-regime protesters in Westwood, Los Angeles, injuring at least one person; demonstrators swarmed the vehicle and later the driver was detained, authorities said.
Key takeaways
- Vehicle moved into crowd: A U-Haul struck or entered a flow of protesters on Veteran Avenue around 3:30–3:34 p.m., leaving at least one person with minor injuries.
- Protesters attacked the truck: Video shows demonstrators chasing, swarming and damaging the vehicle before police detained the driver.
- Investigation ongoing: LAPD is treating the case as an altercation and possible attempted assault with a deadly weapon; officials did not classify it as terrorism.
- Wider context: The rally was one of many in support of anti-regime demonstrators in Iran; organizers and witnesses tied the action to broader unrest abroad.
What happened in Westwood
Hundreds to more than 1,000 people gathered in Westwood on Sunday for a rally backing anti-regime demonstrators in Iran. The crowd assembled outside the Wilshire Federal Building on Wilshire Boulevard and marched through the busy commercial neighborhood. Local footage captured by news helicopters and witnesses shows a U-Haul pickup truck moving into the flow of protesters on Veteran Avenue. (ABC7, ABC7/NBC4 aerial footage).
At about 3:30–3:34 p.m., the vehicle moved into the crowd. People screamed and scattered; the Los Angeles Police Department said at least one adult was struck and sustained no significant injuries, while two others were evaluated and declined treatment (ABC News, Los Angeles Times).
Protesters chased and attacked the vehicle
Video and eyewitness accounts show demonstrators chasing the truck for several blocks. Protesters pounded on the cab, broke windows and thrust flagpoles through openings while trying to pull the driver out; some witnesses said the driver was punched before officers intervened and took him into custody. The truck’s windshield and mirrors were damaged and banners displayed on the vehicle were torn off (ABC News, Los Angeles Times).
Filmmaker Sean Zarrabi posted footage of the driver’s arrest, calling the incident an attempt to “kill people,” and many attendees described sudden panic as the vehicle entered the march.
Banners on the truck and what they signaled
Photos show banners on the U-Haul reading “NO SHAH. NO REGIME. USA: DON’T REPEAT 1953. NO MULLAH” alongside a banner in a foreign language. The slogan references the 1953 U.S.-backed overthrow of Iran’s prime minister Mohammad Mossadegh — an event critics link to the conditions that preceded the 1979 revolution — and has been used by groups tied to the National Council of Resistance of Iran, associated with the exiled People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (Wikipedia, Los Angeles Times).
How authorities responded
LAPD officers arrived quickly, secured the scene and issued a dispersal order by about 5 p.m., which thinned the crowd. Capt. Richard Gabaldon said the driver was injured during the post-incident chaos and was treated at a hospital. Investigators indicated they will examine whether the vehicle’s movement into the crowd was deliberate or accidental and said they are treating the matter as an altercation being investigated, not as a terrorism case (Los Angeles Times, ABC7).
Eyewitness voices and scene details
Attendees described fear and confusion. Iranian-American families at the march said they felt panic as people fled. Activists emphasized the broader aims of the demonstrations: drawing attention to Iran’s reported economic collapse, internet shutdowns and alleged human-rights abuses. Witnesses and social-media posts captured chaotic scenes, the driver’s arrest and calls for restraint (Los Angeles Times, ABC7).
Context from abroad and across the U.S.
The Westwood rally was part of a wave of demonstrations in support of Iranians who have taken to the streets in recent weeks. The Human Rights Activists News Agency and other monitors reported hundreds of deaths and thousands of arrests inside Iran; U.S. officials said they are monitoring the situation and considering responses. Los Angeles, home to one of the largest Iranian diaspora communities outside Iran, has seen particularly visible and emotional demonstrations (ABC News, ABC7).
Investigation status and legal questions
Police said the investigation is ongoing. The detained driver could face charges including attempted assault with a deadly weapon, depending on LAPD findings and the Los Angeles City Attorney’s review. Investigators will look at whether the movement into the crowd was intentional or a traffic misjudgment and whether political messaging on the vehicle contributed to the escalation. Prosecutors may also consider separate charges for demonstrators who attacked the driver (ABC News, Los Angeles Times).
Implications for Hesperia, California
Local officials and residents in Hesperia may take away several lessons from the Westwood incident:
- Public safety and travel: Even peaceful-looking demonstrations can become chaotic; residents traveling to Los Angeles should monitor alerts and plan alternate routes (Los Angeles Times).
- Law-and-order expectations: Some residents will call for visible policing and swift charging to balance free speech with safety (ABC7).
- Political and community ties: The slogans and historical references on the truck link to debates over U.S. policy toward Iran, which may prompt local civic discussions.
- Social and humanitarian concerns: Churches and aid groups might prepare to offer counseling and assistance to those affected by unrest or shaken by such incidents.
- Practical steps: Residents attending demonstrations should register for emergency alerts, carry ID, avoid isolated areas and keep phones charged.
Reporting and sources
This report draws on local news coverage and eyewitness video. Key sources include:
- ABC News
- Los Angeles Times
- ABC7 Los Angeles
- Wikipedia summary of the incident
- ABC7/NBC4 aerial and ground footage
Investigators with the LAPD continue to review footage and interview witnesses. Questions remain about motive, intent and legal outcomes; the Westwood scene underscores how local protests tied to international events can escalate rapidly.
