Semitrailer plowed through George Floyd protesters in Minneapolis

Footage making the rounds on social media shows the moment a semitrailer drove through a crowd of protesters who were demonstrating on a highway in Minneapolis on Sunday, The Associated Press reports.

In a clip of the moment, droves of demonstrators could be seen scattering on the highway as the truck barreled down the road for several seconds before stopping abruptly as people tried to get out of the way.

Moments after the truck stopped, protesters could be seen gathering around the truck, with some appearing to hit the outside of the vehicle. NPR reported some protesters dragged the driver out of the truck.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety called the actions by the driver “very disturbing” in a tweet on Sunday evening.

“The truck driver was injured & taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries. He is under arrest. It doesn’t appear any protesters were hit by the truck,” the office continued. NPR said the driver is being held on probable cause for assault. 

Very disturbing actions by a truck driver on I-35W, inciting a crowd of peaceful demonstrators. The truck driver was injured & taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries. He is under arrest. It doesn’t appear any protesters were hit by the truck. #MACCMN

— MnDPS_DPS (@MnDPS_DPS) May 31, 2020

According to a local NBC affiliate, the moment came as demonstrators gathered on the highway to protest the recent death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died in Minneapolis last week shortly after a local officer knelt on his neck during an arrest. 

-Updated June 1 at 8:30 a.m.