LOS ANGELES — The individual responsible for driving a U-Haul truck into a crowd of protestors demonstrating against the Iranian regime has been identified as Calor Madanescht. Madanescht was taken into custody and charged with misdemeanor reckless driving, with bail set at $0. It remains unclear whether he has been released pending further investigation into the motive behind the incident.
The disturbing event took place in Westwood, where Madanescht reportedly drove the U-Haul truck, adorned with anti-regime slogans targeting Iran’s monarchy and the current regime, into a group of demonstrators. The protestors had gathered to voice their opposition to the Islamic Republic of Iran. Videos captured the chaotic scene as the truck plowed through the crowd, injuring two individuals who were subsequently taken to the hospital.
Not much is known about Madanescht, but it has come to light that he is also involved in a legal dispute stemming from a separate incident. In 2024, Madanescht filed a negligence lawsuit against Southern California Edison and the County of Ventura following an incident where a power pole fell on his car in Moorpark. The lawsuit alleges negligence on the part of the defendants for failing to maintain the power pole, resulting in significant medical expenses, lost wages, and damage to his vehicle.
The legal filing, represented by Sean Bina, Esq. of California Personal Injury Attorneys, asserts claims of gross negligence and premises liability, seeking unspecified compensatory damages to be determined in a jury trial scheduled for December 2026. The lawsuit highlights the alleged disregard for public safety by failing to address known hazards, leading to the unfortunate incident involving Madanescht’s vehicle.
As the investigation into the motive behind the U-Haul truck incident continues, authorities are working to piece together the events that transpired during the anti-regime protest in Westwood. The unsettling nature of the attack has raised concerns about the safety and security of demonstrators exercising their right to peaceful protest.
