ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. — Reported hate crimes in California are at their highest level since 2001.

There were nearly 1,800 cases documented in 2021, according to the Hate Crime in California report by the State Department of Justice released this week.

Per the study, crimes against Black people were the most prevalent. Anti-Asian hate crimes rose the most, by nearly 200% from 2020 to 2021.

One woman in South Orange County says it’s something she never thought would happen to her — until she fell victim while getting gas.