Va. man arrested after driving into crowd of pedestrians leaving protest

By Zsana Hoskins
June 14, 2025 | 9:39 PM

A protest in Culpeper, Virginia, ended in the arrest of a man who drove through a crowd of pedestrians.

Joseph R. Checklick Jr., 21, was arrested on a charge of reckless driving Saturday, the Culpeper Police Department said.

As participants were leaving the area of 801 James Madison Highway, they saw an SUV drive recklessly through a crowd of pedestrians.

that Checklick “intentionally accelerated his vehicle into the dispersing crowd, striking at least one person with his vehicle.鈥�

No injuries have been reported to law enforcement at this time, and police have not identified the person who was struck.

Checklick appeared before a judge and is currently being held without bond in the Culpeper County jail.

This is an ongoing investigation and police ask anyone with information to call 540-829-5530 or submit an anonymous tip to Culpeper Crime Solvers at 540-727-0300.

Below is a map of the location where the incident took place:

Map of Culpeper reckless driving — (Courtesy Google Maps)

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Sterling man charged in fentanyl case linked to Park View High School overdoses, sheriff says

By Matt Small
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