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NEW IBERIA, La. — A festive parade celebrating the Lao New Year in rural Louisiana turned tragic on Saturday when a vehicle plowed into the crowd, injuring several attendees, according to local authorities.
The driver involved in the incident was swiftly detained and faces charges of impaired driving, police officials reported.
Footage circulating on social media captured the chaotic aftermath, depicting individuals lying on the ground at the annual event held in Broussard and New Iberia. The videos further revealed firefighters working diligently to rescue a person trapped beneath the car, which ultimately came to rest in a ditch along the parade route.
The Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office indicated that approximately 15 people sustained injuries, with some cases being severe.
Rebecca Melancon, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office, stated, “Initial findings suggest this was not an intentional act.”
Acadian Ambulance, a private ambulance company, said on social media that it responded to the emergency around 2:30 p.m. and sent 10 ambulances and a helicopter to aid the injured. Two patients were airlifted, it said.
The Louisiana State Police said the driver, who is 57 and lived in Jeanerette, appeared impaired when police arrived and later tested positive for a high blood alcohol level. He was charged with impaired, negligent and careless driving and having an open container of alcohol in the vehicle.
The parade is part of a three-day New Year celebration set in the Lanxang Village, a Laotian neighborhood near New Iberia with hundreds of families, and near the Buddhist temple grounds of Wat Thammarattanaram.
It features Southeast Asian food, live music, a parade and other family-friendly activities attracting thousands each year.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry issued a statement about the incident. “Sharon and I are praying for all those affected, and are grateful for the first responders who have responded to the scene,” he said.
The festival’s organizers issued a statement on Facebook saying they were “profoundly saddened” by the incident.
“We are praying for the victims and for their families during this difficult time,” it said.
Afternoon and evening events were canceled, but the festival planned to hold religious services on Sunday, the organizers said.
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