Deirdre Kemp, a 30-year-old Chicago woman, made headlines when she drove her car into a crowd of protesters in the Loop on June 10. The incident occurred near State and Monroe streets during a protest against President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement policies. What makes this case even more shocking is the fact that Kemp had her children in the vehicle at the time of the incident and was already on bail for allegedly leaving the scene of an accident in Will County.
According to prosecutors, CPD officers had blocked off much of the Loop to accommodate the large demonstration. However, Kemp ignored officers’ verbal and physical commands to redirect her vehicle. Instead, she allegedly drove her 2003 Kia Spectra into the crowd while yelling obscenities at officers. A sergeant attempted to stop her by grabbing her steering wheel, but Kemp swerved, causing him to lose his balance and collide with 66-year-old Heather Blair. Blair suffered a broken arm, bruises, and scratches as a result of the incident.
Following the incident, one of CPD’s helicopters and a TV news chopper tracked Kemp’s fleeing vehicle for several minutes, collecting electronic evidence that aided in her identification. Judge John Hock ordered Kemp’s detention, emphasizing the potential harm she could have caused to others. He noted that Kemp was on bond for a violent felony in Will County, specifically for a 2022 case involving charges of leaving the scene of an accident.
Cook County prosecutors charged Kemp 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 disturbing incident was captured on video and shared on social media, garnering widespread attention and condemnation. It serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of reckless behavior and the importance of following law enforcement commands, especially in high-stress situations like protests.
As the case unfolds, the community awaits justice for Heather Blair and accountability for Deirdre Kemp’s actions. This incident serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of irresponsible behavior behind the wheel and the potential harm it can cause to innocent bystanders.
