Several people were injured when a vehicle struck revelers at a parade celebrating the Lao New Year on Saturday in rural Louisiana, authorities said.
The driver was quickly arrested and charged with impaired driving, police reported.
Social media videos showed multiple victims on the ground at the annual event in Broussard and New Iberia, with emergency responders tending to one individual trapped under the vehicle, which ended up in a ditch along the parade route.
Around 15 attendees suffered injuries, some classified as serious, according to the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Based on the preliminary investigation, this does not appear to be an intentional act, remarked sheriff's office spokesperson Rebecca Melancon.
Acadian Ambulance responded to the emergency at approximately 2:30 p.m., deploying 10 ambulances and a helicopter for assistance. Two individuals were airlifted to medical facilities, as confirmed by the ambulance service's social media update.
The Louisiana State Police informed that the driver, a 57-year-old resident of Jeanerette, exhibited signs of impairment upon their arrival and tested positive for a high blood alcohol level. Charges against him include impaired, negligent and careless driving as well as possession of an open container of alcohol within the vehicle.
The parade formed part of a three-day celebration in Lanxang Village, a Laotian neighborhood near New Iberia, with numerous families participating, alongside cultural activities near the Buddhist temple grounds of Wat Thammarattanaram.
This event features Southeast Asian cuisine, live music, a parade, and various family-oriented activities that draw thousands each year.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry issued a heartfelt statement regarding the incident, expressing, “Sharon and I are praying for all those affected, and are grateful for the first responders who have responded to the scene.”
The festival’s organizers released a statement on Facebook expressing their profound sadness over the situation. “We are praying for the victims and their families during this difficult time,” they noted.
While the afternoon and evening festivities have been canceled, the organizers announced plans to conduct religious services on Sunday.
