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2 Injured After Allegedly Being Struck While Demonstrating Outside Plant In Tacony

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Authorities say two people were taken to the hospital after they were allegedly hit by a vehicle while demonstrating outside the Dietz and Watson plant in Tacony.

The alleged incident happened on the 5700 block of Tacony Street just after 8 a.m. Friday.

According to police, when officers told a driver attempting to cross a picket line in front of the Dietz and Watson plant on Tacony Street to enter another way, he allegedly did the opposite.

"One of the employees of Dietz and Watson approached the picket line and proceeded to drive through with their vehicle injuring two of our members," said John Reape of Carpenters Union Local 1906.

Eyewitness News received this statement:

"Dietz & Watson is cooperating fully with the Philadelphia Police Department as they investigate an incident involving one of our employees attempting to drive his car into our parking lot and protestors who were blocking access to our facility."

The alleged driver was taken into police custody.

The two men were taken to the hospital and released with only minor injuries.

Later in the day, another person was taken into police custody in a similar fashion after allegedly crossing the line, reportedly injuring one more.

Eyewitness News has learned the second individual has been charged with crossing the line and allegedly striking someone with their vehicle.

This dispute is not specifically with Dietz and Watson, instead a New Jersey-based machinery company that provides equipment to the plant.

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