The incident occurred during the Lao New Year Parade in Louisiana on Saturday, April 4
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/lao-new-year-parade-louisiana-040526-9084570b784d4c26baef724ca29e686b.jpg "Scene after a car drives into crowd at Lao New Year parade in Louisiana")
Credit: NEWS 15
NEED TO KNOW
- A vehicle struck multiple pedestrians during the Lao New Year Parade in Louisiana on Saturday, April 4
- At least 15 people were injured, some seriously, according to the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office (IPSO)
- Todd Landry was arrested at the scene and charged with driving while impaired, first-degree negligent operation, as well as for having an open container of alcohol in a vehicle
At least 15 people were injured when a vehicle plowed into a crowd during Louisiana's Lao New Year Parade.
At around 2:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, April 4, police responded to reports of an incident “involving a vehicle that struck multiple pedestrians” at the corner of Savannakhet and Melancon Road in New Iberia, according to news releases from the Louisiana State Police (LSP) and Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office (IPSO).
An estimated 15 people were injured in the incident, which took place during the Lao New Year Parade, the Associated Press and News 15 reported.
“Several individuals sustained injuries, some of which are believed to be serious,” said the IPSO, while adding that they believe the crash “does not appear to be an intentional act.”
Credit: Louisiana State Police/Facebook
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The driver of the vehicle was identified as 57-year-old Todd Landry.
“During the investigation, Landry showed signs of impairment and ultimately submitted a breath sample indicating a BAC of 0.137g%,” said the LSP. The legal blood alcohol content limit for drivers in Louisiana is 0.08%.
Having been arrested at the scene, Landry was booked into the Iberia Parish jail on charges of driving while impaired, 18 counts of first-degree negligent injuring, careless operation, and open container.
Footage of the incident obtained by News 15 shows several people lying on the ground after being struck by the vehicle, while others are seen helping some of the injured.
“We were all walking in the parade, listening to music, getting sprayed with water, having fun, and I noticed a guy get into his car, he starts revving his engine and he inches closer to the parade,” witness Eli Anderson told Khou 11. “I just simply thought that he was coming to join the parade … and he inches closer and closer, revs his engine again and just plows through everybody.”
Acadian Ambulance transported 13 of the injured to the hospital, two of whom were airlifted, Reuters reported.
The Louisiana Lao New Year Parade said in a statement on Facebook, “We are profoundly saddened by the news of the incident near the festival grounds. We are awaiting additional details from authorities as they become available. All security resources have been redirected to the scene, and we currently do not have security personnel available due to the circumstances … We are praying for the victims and for their families during this difficult time."
The music programs scheduled for Saturday night were canceled following the incident.
The parade organizers said, “As of now, and if security resources are restored for tomorrow (Sunday), we will reopen only the religious services of the festival, and vendors will stay open."
An investigation into the circumstances of the crash is being led by the IPSO.
The LSP is asking anyone with information about the incident or photos/videos of the crash to contact them through their online reporting system by visiting File a Report, or calling the LSP Fusion Center Hotline at 1-800-434-8007.
PEOPLE has reached out to the LSP and IPSO for further comment.