The driver of a U-Haul truck that plowed through a crowd of demonstrators protesting against the Iranian government in Los Angeles on Sunday was detained after being assailed with flagpoles by the protesters. The police intervened and apprehended the driver.

Identified as 48-year-old Calor Madanescht, the driver was taken into custody by the Los Angeles Police Department on charges of reckless driving, according to a statement released by the LAPD on Monday. Video footage captures the moment when the crowd rushed toward the truck, surrounding it while shouting at the driver inside.

One protester managed to climb onto the truck, smashing its windshield in the process. Others used flagpoles displaying the Iranian flag to poke through the open passenger-side window, seemingly jabbing at the driver.

During the incident, anti-Iranian regime protesters in Los Angeles confronted the U-Haul truck, destroying its windshield and attacking the driver with flagpoles until law enforcement arrived to arrest him. (Alaleh Kamran via Storyful)

Additionally, an individual was seen tearing down a banner affixed to the side of the truck. The banner, written in bold capital letters, stated: “NO SHAH. NO REGIME. USA: DON’T REPEAT 1953. NO MULLAH.”

As the driver tried to exit the truck through the driver-side door, the crowd could be seen pushing the door closed. Police eventually made their way through the swarm of people and took the man inside the truck into custody.

Police said the adult male driver has been detained pending further investigation. His identity has yet to be released. (Alaleh Kamran via Storyful)

The incident occurred at around 3:30 p.m. Sunday along Veteran Avenue near the Federal Building in the Westwood neighborhood, according to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).

“At this time, one person was confirmed struck by the vehicle (an adult male); however, no significant injuries have been reported,” the LAPD said. “A Rescue Ambulance treated the individual at the scene.  No one has been transported to the hospital for medical treatment.”

The truck was impounded, but nothing “significant” was discovered inside, the LAPD said. 

A driver allegedly drove a U-Haul truck through a crowd during a Los Angeles demonstration in support of the Iranian people on Sunday. (KTTV)

Videos circulating on social media appeared to show a U-Haul truck moving quickly through a dense crowd as people screamed. In one video, a person appeared to hang onto the side of the vehicle and bang on a window as it continued moving.

Hundreds had gathered in the Westwood neighborhood as part of a march backing protesters in Iran. (KTTV)

The Iranian American Republican Council (IARC) released a statement condemning the incident as a “terrorist attack.”

“We strongly condemn this violent act and call on the appropriate authorities of the United States to conduct a full and transparent investigation and to hold those responsible fully accountable under the law,” the statement read, in part.

The protest comes amid ongoing unrest in Iran, where demonstrations that began over economic grievances have spread nationwide, evolving into a direct challenge to Iran’s clerical leadership.

The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reports 583 people have been killed in Iran since the unrest erupted two weeks ago.