MOORPARK : Man Denies Charge of Hitting Protester

A 22-year-old Moorpark College student has pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of reckless driving after allegedly hitting a Thousand Oaks protester with his truck, an official said Friday.

The trial of Glenn Gazdik of Agoura is scheduled to begin March 4, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Dee Corona. If convicted, Gazdik could face up to six months in jail and a maximum fine of $1,000, or both, she said.

The district attorney’s office filed the charges based on evidence presented after a Sheriff’s Department investigation into the Jan. 15 incident.

Authorities initially did not arrest Gazdik, but later investigated to determine whether he committed a crime after he allegedly struck war protester Ali Dempsey. Dempsey was taking part in an anti-war demonstration at the corner of Thousand Oaks Boulevard and Moorpark Road.

Sheriff’s deputies first said Gazdik left the accident scene because he was frightened by protesters and that he called the Sheriff’s Department after he returned home.

But another sheriff’s investigation into the incident indicated that Gazdik had become involved in a verbal exchange with war protesters. During the exchange, Gazdik allegedly pulled onto the sidewalk to get out of traffic.

When Gazdik started to leave in his truck, he accelerated and struck Dempsey, officials said. She suffered leg injuries, including a bruised thigh, wrist and back.