Tesla driver at ‘No Kings’ San Francisco march charged

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — A Tesla driver is being held in jail Friday after he allegedly drove his new car through a massive “No Kings” march in San Francisco and repeatedly struck a protester, the district attorney announced Friday.

According to prosecutors, 44-year-old Hauwei Lien was behind the wheel of his red 2025 Tesla Model Y on June 14 driving around San Francisco. That same day, “No Kings” marches were happening across California cities protesting President Donald Trump and ICE immigration raids.

A San Francisco “No Kings” march began at Mission Dolores Park, proceeded with tens of thousands of people marching along Market Street, and ended with an enormous rally in Civic Center Plaza. People also created a human banner at Ocean Beach’s Sunset Dunes Park to form the words “No King!”

Over on Market Street, many marchers held signs with messages denouncing authoritarianism and Trump, blasting U.S. Immigration and Customs arrests, and supporting the U.S. Constitution.

Lien encountered “the swell of protesters” while they were marching on Market Street, prosecutors said. The masses of people blocked his Telsa’s path to cross from Laguna Street, however, Lien attempted to cross anyway by driving through the march, prosecutors said.

One 69-year-old protester put his hands on the Tesla’s hood trying to stop it.

The San Francisco District Attorney’s Office wrote, “Mr. Lien did not stop and accelerated into the victim, pushing him on to the hood of the car, then drove across Market Street southbound on Guerrero Street with the victim clutching on to the hood.”

Lien allegedly hit his accelerator before braking suddenly to throw the victim off the Tesla, prosecutors said. When the Tesla made a sharp swerve, it ran over the victim’s foot. The victim also suffered a large gash across his forehead and broken toes.

Prosecutors charged the Tesla driver with elder abuse, assault with a deadly weapon, and hit-and-run. He pleaded not guilty to all charges during his arraignment Wednesday.

A San Francisco judge denied granting Lien bail, and he remains in custody Friday afternoon. He will return to court on June 23.

Mayor Daniel Lurie said the “No Kings” marches and demonstrations were “overwhelmingly peaceful. Really proud of how San Franciscans showed up.”