Costa Mesa Hit And Run At District Attorney Fundraiser

NEWPORT BEACH, CA - Coasta Mesa police investigated a collision outside a fundraiser for Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas. An American Civil Liberties Union attorney and a protester were injured in the event.

Police responded to a call of a "hit-and-run incident involving a vehicle and two pedestrian protesters" about 8:20 p.m. Tuesday outside Turnip Rose Elite Catering, on the 1900 block of Newport Blvd., according to a Costa Mesa police department spokesperson.

A statement from Costa Mesa police said that they have been in contact with all parties involved and a thorough investigation is being conducted, but it unclear whether any arrests were made.

Roxi Fyad, the police department's public information officer, referred all questions to Lt. Victor Bakkila, who could not immediately be reached.

The ACLU issued a statement saying that one of the organization's attorneys, Brendan Hamme, was taken to an area hospital, where he was treated and released.

The ACLU characterized it as a "peaceful protest."

Hector Villagra, executive director of the ACLU of Southern California, issued a statement saying that a car exiting a parking lot "plowed into protesters," including Hamme.

The ACLU also said video footage taken by a protester "shows the car fleeing the scene into oncoming traffic. The driver was later found and interviewed by officers from the Costa Mesa Police Department. An investigator said a hit-and-run report was filed."

Villagra added, "At a time when protesters are increasingly seen as targets, we find this chilling incident to be unacceptable and urge the police and prosecutors to send the message that protest met with violence will not be tolerated."

City News Service contributed to this report

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