Law enforcement in Alabama is investigating a man after he allegedly ran his motorcycle through a group of supporters for Sen. Doug Jones’s (D) reelection bid.
The incident happened Sunday afternoon in Warrenton at a rally for Jones when the motorcyclist allegedly revved his engine and intentionally targeted supporters, leaving one woman with unspecified injuries, The Gadsden Times reported.
“About 30 seconds after Doug got off the bus, there were two motorcycles parked across the street. One barreled right through the crowd,” said Marshall County Democrat Party Chair Susan McKenney, adding that the driver circled back around as if he was going to “barrel through again.”
Guntersville police have identified the driver, investigator Mike Turner told the Times, adding that the driver’s account of the event differed from the version given by other witnesses.
Turner said the man said he was there to see Jones because he had not made up his mind about his vote. The driver reportedly said he knew his motorcycle was noisy but he did not intend to hit anyone and was unaware that he had.
“As with any misdemeanor, we cannot make an arrest unless we witness the incident,” Turner said.
The victim of the incident has requested anonymity but has been contacted by investigators. Turner said her injuries were minor and he did not know whether she would pursue a warrant against the driver.
The victim will have a year to obtain a warrant if she is inclined to do so.
Other witness accounts at the rally noted there were trucks parked near the event that kicked up gravel towards the group, with the drivers hurling insults at the crowd.
The trucks reportedly put shopping bags over their license plates to obscure the numbers.
McKenney said local Democrats are encouraging the victim in the motorcycle incident to come forward with a warrant, adding, “We feel it is important that people not be intimidated. I don’t think they understood it was a rally and not anything they should have been involved with.”