By Ryan Hansen 
On Saturday, June 14, 2025, during a “No Kings” protest in downtown Riverside, 58-year-old Russell Prentice drove a black SUV into a crowd of protesters on University Avenue between Orange and Main streets around 9:10 p.m., striking 21-year-old Alexa Carrasco AudacyRiversideca. The collision caused severe injuries including a cracked rib, punctured lung, broken leg, and severe skull injuries. Carrasco was placed in a medically induced coma and required multiple surgeries. As many know, such a medical calamity is as tragic as it is expensive, but the family has been fortunate enough to have an outpouring of support via GoFundMe.
No Kings Protest
Throughout the United States, the “No Kings” protests were organized by a coalition of over 200 organizations to counter Trump’s “dictator-style” military parade held on his 79th birthday (which also coincided with the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary). An estimated 5 million people participated in over 2,000 planned protests nationwide NPRABC News. The Riverside protest drew over 5,000 people and was largely non-violent, with only minor vandalism reported at the historic courthouse Trump Parade Turnout Swamped by Millions Who Protested at ‘No Kings’ Rallies.
Video from the scene shows protesters approaching Prentice’s vehicle, with some bumping into the left taillight and using an object to smash it. The suspect then turned the car around quickly and drove into the crowd, striking Carrasco before fleeing the scene RiversidecaRolling Stone. According to friends, Carrasco was peacefully protesting with her relatives when “the driver started provoking people in the crowd” before the incident occurred ABC7 Los AngelesLocalcrimenews.
Russell Prentice was arrested Monday on Jackson Street and booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center for assault with a deadly weapon and hit-and-run causing injury. Police also arrested 39-year-old Candase Wenzel of Riverside for accessory after the fact and destruction of evidence for her role in taking the suspect vehicle to Phelan and attempting to destroy evidence AudacyRolling Stone.
Current Status: Carrasco remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition AudacyRiversideca, and a GoFundMe has been created to help with mounting medical bills and family expenses during her recovery