Deirdre Kemp, a 30-year-old Chicago woman, surrendered to police on Thursday to face charges related to an incident where she drove her car into a crowd of protesters in the Loop on June 10, injuring a 66-year-old woman. Prosecutors revealed that Kemp had her children in the vehicle at the time and was on bail for allegedly leaving the scene of an accident in Will County.
The incident took place near State and Monroe streets during a protest against President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement policies. Despite CPD officers blocking off much of the Loop to accommodate the demonstration, Kemp ignored their verbal and physical commands to redirect her vehicle. Instead, she allegedly drove her 2003 Kia Spectra into the crowd while yelling obscenities at officers who pursued her on foot.
A sergeant attempted to stop Kemp by grabbing her steering wheel, but she swerved, causing him to lose his balance and collide with Heather Blair, the 66-year-old victim who suffered a broken arm, bruises, and scratches. Both CPD helicopters and a TV news chopper tracked the fleeing vehicle for several minutes, collecting electronic evidence that aided in Kemp’s identification.
During her court hearing, Judge John Hock ordered Kemp’s detention, emphasizing that she could have injured many more people. He noted that Kemp was already on bond for a violent felony in Will County, specifically for leaving the scene of an accident in a 2022 case. In Cook County, Kemp was charged with aggravated reckless driving causing bodily harm, aggravated fleeing causing bodily injury, and driving on a suspended license in connection with the Loop incident. Additionally, she received citations for failure to obey a police officer and driving on a suspended license.
The incident was captured on video and shared on social media, showing the chaotic scene of protesters pursuing and hitting Kemp’s car before she sped away without stopping. This reckless behavior led to serious injuries for the victim and further legal consequences for Kemp. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of following traffic laws and respecting the safety of others, especially in high-stress situations like protests.
