I think it likely it would have. Scenario: you are standing in the middle of a crowded pedesrian area. Suddenly you see a truck barreling towards you at full speed. Do you (a) get the hell out of the way or (b) go for your gun? If (b) how likely are you to get off an accurate shot that incapacitates the driver?
The driver in this scenario, with surprise and speed on his side, has a huge advantage over even armed people.
True, but I was speaking about right at the start. There were men right there.
He sat there for 9 hours, too.
The truck driver did indeed have surprise and intiative in his favor but you are kind of arguing that if a citizen could do nothing then it was useless for police to engage him either.
Personally I hate crowds and would not be likely to be in such a situation
myself and hope to never be.