Tragedy Strikes: Woman Tragically Killed by Parade Float at St. Patrick’s Day Celebration

A tragic incident occurred during a St. Patrick’s Day parade in Kentucky, resulting in the death of a woman who was pulled under a float and crushed in front of onlookers.

This heartbreaking event took place at Louisville’s 53rd annual parade. Emergency services were dispatched to the scene near Bardstown Road and Grinstead Drive just before 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, following reports of a woman being hit by a vehicle, as reported by WLKY.

Preliminary findings from the investigation suggest that the victim, identified as Joan Pannuti, 50, was walking alongside a float when her foot got caught. This caused her to fall and become trapped beneath the vehicle.

The parade route on Bardstown Road in Louisville, Kentucky, was the backdrop for this unfortunate event on Saturday, March 14, 2026. (Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

After the float was halted, Pannuti received immediate medical attention and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she unfortunately succumbed to her injuries.

Video obtained by WDRB showed the moments immediately after Pannuti was dragged under the float as it was being towed by a silver truck clad in four-leaf clovers. 

Good Samaritans were seen rushing to Pannuti’s aid as the group waited for law enforcement to arrive. 

Scenes along the St. Patrick’s Day Parade route on Bardstown Road in Louisville, Kentucky, on Saturday, March 14, 2026.  (Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

“I seen the EMS attending to somebody… I saw somebody on the stretcher, not thinking it was something very serious,” food vendor David Gnamba told WAVE.

“It does break my heart because that’s a person that lost their life,” Gnamba added. “This is not news that we want to hear – as human beings, as vendors, as people, as partygoers.”

The parade’s organizers, the Hibernian Cultural and Charitable Association, reportedly released a statement expressing their organization is “deeply saddened by the tragic accident.” 

Scenes along the St. Patrick’s Day Parade route on Bardstown Road in Louisville, Kentucky, on Saturday, March 14, 2026.  (Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Additionally, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg called for prayers for the victim and her loved ones in a social media post.

“I am so sorry to hear about the tragic accident that took a woman’s life at today’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade,” Greenberg said. “Please join Rachel and me in keeping her family and friends in your prayers. May her memory be a blessing.” 

The Louisville Metro Police Department did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.