Semi-truck driver who drove toward protestors in I-35W bridge in May charged

The semi-truck driver who almost ran into protesters on the Interstate 35W bridge over the Mississippi River has been charged with two crimes. 35-year-old Bogdan Vechirko Otsego is charged with a felony count of threats of violence and a gross misdemeanor count of criminal vehicular operation. On May 31st, more than 1,000 peaceful protesters were sitting and standing on the interstate bridge just east of downtown Minneapolis when Vechirko drove at the crowd at a high rate of speed. He did not stop until a person in the crowd stumbled and fell forward. Hennepin County Mike Freeman says an investigation showed that Vechirko wanted to scare people out of his path. Vechirko’s first court appearance is set for November 10th.