A man who allegedly drove his vehicle into a group of pedestrians in downtown Los Angeles has been charged with felony assault, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced today.

Ryad Boudghenestambo (dob 7/4/84) was charged yesterday afternoon with five counts of assault with a deadly weapon in case BA467562. His arraignment is scheduled for today in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

According to prosecutors, Boudghenestambo was asleep early Monday morning in his vehicle in a parking lot at Vignes Street and East Cesar Chavez Avenue when he was awoken by a group of people who had approached his SUV. As the five pedestrians walked away, the defendant allegedly drove his vehicle at the group, hitting and injuring the victims.

Boudghenestambo's SUV continued forward and hit a brick fence, where it stopped. Police officers then arrived and arrested him.

The defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of eight years in state prison if convicted as charged. Bail was set at $150,000.

The case remains under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department.

Los Angeles District Attorney / case BA467562 / April 26, 2018