Three people struck by car at Occupy DC protest

Washington - Three people were injured after a car drove through a crowd of Occupy DC protesters striking at least three individuals who were transported to Washington, DC hospitals with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.

The Associated Press reports District of Columbia police authorities say the driver of the vehicle was not charged in the incident because he had a green light at the time. Lt. Christopher Micciche of the D.C. police said, "witnesses told police that the three pedestrians either ran toward or jumped in front of the moving vehicle." One of the pedestrians reportedly jumped on the hood of the car. "The protesters were apparently trying to block the roadway," according to Micciche. "It was essentially an accident where three individuals were injured but they were in violation by being in the roadway." Witness have provided contrasting accounts of the Saturday morning incident. Jesse Folks, 29, Riverdale, told the Washington Post, "he was standing in the street with several dozen protesters near the convention center when the car just gassed it into a bunch of people." Folks admitted they were blocking traffic when the accident happened, "but this guy didn't even give us a chance to get out of the way." Hundreds of OccupyDC protesters had shutdown streets near the convention center where members of the conservative group Americans for Prosperity were holding their 'dream summit', reports Fox News, blocking traffic and creating a hazardous situation. The Washington Post reports protesters blocked buses and cars from leaving, prompting some drivers to exit their vehicles to confront the angry mob. Protesters can be seen in the video as they surrounded the vehicle that struck the three individuals calling for police to arrest the man. The driver, whose name was not available, was questioned by District of Columbia police and released.