Palmdale

Driver Hits Crowd at Vaccine Mandate Rally in Palmdale, Injures Woman

The 64-year-old suspect got into an argument with people at the rally, then got into an SUV and drove into the crowd, sheriff’s officials say

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A man was arrested after driving a Jeep into a crowd at a vaccine mandate rally in Palmdale on Saturday, injuring a woman, sheriff’s officials said.

The 64-year-old driver, identified as William Aslaksen, had gotten into an argument with people at the rally before he ran a black Jeep Wrangler onto the sidewalk and into the crowd, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said. 

The demonstration got underway at 10 a.m. at the intersection of 10th St. West and Rancho Vista Boulevard but the alleged assault occurred about 3:30 p.m., according to Lt. T. Kim of the Palmdale Sheriff's Station.

A woman was taken to the hospital in stable condition, sheriff’s officials said. No one else was hurt.

Deputies found Aslaksen at his Antelope Valley home, the lieutenant said.

Aslaksen was booked into the Palmdale Sheriff's Station for suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, Kim said.

He was being held on $50,000 bail, according to sheriff's inmate records.

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