A protest outside a Tesla dealership in Palm Beach County turned dangerous over the weekend when a man allegedly drove his car through a crowd of demonstrators gathered on the sidewalk. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
The incident occurred during a broader wave of national protests aimed at Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk. Critics are voicing concern over Musk’s alignment with political initiatives led by former President Donald Trump, including efforts to dramatically downsize the federal workforce through the new Department of Government Efficiency.
Authorities say the driver, identified as Andrew Dutil, was arrested on site and now faces assault charges after allegedly maneuvering his car slowly into the group, causing protesters to scatter. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the arrest and noted that the case remains under investigation.
This episode adds to a string of protests and confrontations tied to Tesla in recent weeks, including reports of vandalism and threats at other locations across the country.
Officials are urging the public to continue expressing their views peacefully and are reminding all parties involved to stay within legal limits as demonstrations continue.
