Several people were injured when a vehicle struck revelers at a parade celebrating the Lao New Year on Saturday in rural Louisiana, authorities reported.
The driver was swiftly apprehended and faces charges related to impaired driving, according to the police.
Footage circulating on social media depicted numerous individuals on the ground at the annual event held in Broussard and New Iberia. In some clips, firefighters were seen assisting a person who was pinned under the vehicle, which ultimately ended up in a ditch along the parade route.
Approximately 15 individuals were injured, with reports indicating that some sustained severe injuries, as per the Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office.
Based on the preliminary investigation, this incident does not seem to be an intentional act, stated Rebecca Melancon, a spokesperson for the sheriff's office.
Acadian Ambulance, a private ambulance service, noted on social media that they responded to the emergency around 2:30 p.m., deploying 10 ambulances and a helicopter to assist the wounded. Two individuals were airlifted due to the severity of their injuries.
The Louisiana State Police assessed that the 57-year-old driver from Jeanerette displayed signs of impairment upon their arrival and subsequently tested positive for a high blood alcohol level. He was charged with several counts, including impaired, negligent, and careless driving, along with having an open container of alcohol in his vehicle.
The parade forms part of a three-day New Year celebration organized in the Lanxang Village, a Laotian community near New Iberia that is home to hundreds of families, and adjacent to the Buddhist temple grounds of Wat Thammarattanaram. The festivities typically include Southeast Asian cuisine, live music, parades, and various family-friendly activities, drawing thousands each year.
In light of the incident, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry expressed his condolences: Sharon and I are praying for all those affected and are thankful for the first responders who are on the scene. The festival’s organizers released a statement on Facebook expressing their profound sadness regarding the event, stating, We are praying for the victims and their families during this challenging time. Although afternoon and evening events were canceled, the festival organizers announced intentions to hold religious services the following day on Sunday.
