Riverside Police Search for Driver Who Plowed Into Protesters, Leaving 21-Year-Old in Critical Condition

Authorities in Riverside are searching for the driver of a black SUV who struck a 21-year-old woman during a protest over the weekend. The victim, identified by friends as Alexa Carrasco, remains in critical condition after suffering severe injuries, including multiple broken bones, a punctured lung, and a crushed skull.

The incident occurred around 9 p.m. Saturday on University Avenue, where a group of protesters had continued to march into the evening. Witnesses say the protest was peaceful and that the driver made an illegal U-turn before speeding into the crowd.

“It was a peaceful protest. We were on the sidewalks,” one demonstrator said. “The car just started provoking us and then sped through.”

Police say the motive remains unclear—whether it was intentional or accidental—but the fact that the driver fled the scene has prompted a hit-and-run investigation. The Riverside Police Department is urging anyone with footage or information to come forward, particularly if they can help identify the driver.

“There's a couple hundred people who were out there,” said Officer Ryan Railsback. “If someone saw the driver’s face or got additional video, we need them to share that.”

A GoFundMe has been launched to assist with Carrasco’s mounting medical bills, while her friends and the broader community continue to hope for her recovery—and for justice.

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