Several people were injured Saturday afternoon when a woman drove her car into a group of protesters at an immigration rally in Fairview, New Jersey, prompting multiple criminal charges.

According to Fairview Police, 62-year-old Linda Roglen of North Bergen faces charges including assault by auto resulting in injury and leaving the scene of an accident involving injuries. Authorities say the incident began with a heated verbal exchange between Roglen and a protester.

Gabriel Mayen, an employee at a nearby pizzeria, was recording the demonstration outside his shop on Fairview and Anderson Avenues when the altercation unfolded.

“I don’t know what they said, but they were arguing, and then he spit in her face,” Mayen recalled.

Moments later, he says, the situation turned violent. Roglen allegedly hit the protester with her vehicle — and then accelerated into the crowd, striking others.

“I was scared, honestly, for those people. Something like that can kill someone,” Mayen said.

Julio Torres, a protest organizer who was also injured in the incident, told Eyewitness News that he had urged the initial protester to walk away after hearing Roglen yell, “I love ICE.” Despite his warning, tensions escalated and led to the spitting incident.

Torres acknowledged the protester’s action was inappropriate but stressed that Roglen’s response endangered lives. “That’s not okay either,” he said. “But what she did was far more dangerous.”

He urged fellow activists to remain calm during protests, particularly those focused on protecting immigrant rights. “Many immigrants can’t afford to take risks like this — especially when cameras are everywhere,” he said.

Police continue to investigate the incident, and additional charges may be filed as more witness statements and video footage are reviewed.