A 42-year-old man from Headingley is facing several charges after four protesters were struck by a vehicle Friday evening. Police believe the man's actions were not in relation to the protest of mandates.

Originally protest organizers had said that all four people were taken to hospital. However, Const. Rob Carver of the Winnipeg Police Service says one of the protesters was taken to the hospital while three others were treated for minor injuries on scene by the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service and released. The victim taken to hospital was treated and released.

The WPS says that officers were called at 9:50 p.m. in relation to the incident. Initial reports said that a white Jeep Liberty was heading westbound when it struck the four people on the road. 

"Some comments he made after his arrest suggested that his motivation was not specifically about the causes of the protest or the mandates," Carver says. He says that he thinks it important for the public and media to know that, though he couldn't go into further detail. "I think it's important here to give some context that he wasn't either for or against the general views that are floating around this country."

Carver says that after the incident the vehicle fled west down Portage Ave., where numerous witnesses reported it travelling at high speeds and passing through red lights.   RCMP and WPS officers worked together and were able to stop the vehicle in the 4800 block of Portage Ave. at approximately 10:30 p.m. Police say the lone male driver was arrested after a brief struggle.   A 42-year-old male from Headingly, Manitoba, faces charges of:  - Assault with Weapon x 4  - Dangerous Operation of a Conveyance Cause Bodily Harm x 2  - Dangerous Operation of a Conveyance  - Fail to Stop After Accident Knowing That Reckless x 2  - Fail to Stop at Scene of Accident x 2

Carver says that as far as he is aware the man did not have any previous interactions with police or a criminal record.

Police believe there were around 100 people taking part in the protest at the time, with around 40-50 vehicles on scene.

Broadway Ave. has now been restricted to one lane of traffic in each direction. Police are asking the public to avoid the area if they are not taking part in the protest. Carver says that organizers of the protest have been in constant contact with police and cooperative.

Warning: the following video shows people being struck by a vehicle. (Video credit: Rick Wall/Facebook)