A tragic event unfolded on Saturday during a parade celebrating the Lao New Year in rural Louisiana when a vehicle struck revelers.
Authorities reported that the driver was promptly arrested and charged with impaired driving.
Footage shared on social media depicted multiple individuals on the ground in the aftermath of the incident at the annual event held in Broussard and New Iberia. Firefighters were seen attending to at least one person who became trapped under the vehicle, which ended up in a ditch along the parade route.
According to the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office, around 15 people sustained injuries, with several being serious.
Rebecca Melancon, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office, indicated, “Based on the preliminary investigation, this does not appear to be an intentional act.”
The scene quickly mobilized emergency responders, including Acadian Ambulance, which dispatched 10 ambulances and a helicopter. The private ambulance service reported that two patients were airlifted due to the severity of their injuries.
The Louisiana State Police informed that the 57-year-old driver from Jeanerette appeared impaired at the scene and tested positive for a high blood alcohol level. He has been charged with impaired, negligent, and careless driving, as well as possessing an open container of alcohol in the vehicle.
The Lao New Year celebration spans three days in the Lanxang Village, a neighborhood of Laotian families located near New Iberia and the Buddhist temple grounds of Wat Thammarattanaram, featuring Southeast Asian food, live music, and family-friendly activities.
In light of this unfortunate incident, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry stated, “Sharon and I are praying for all those affected, and we are grateful for the first responders who have responded to the scene.”
The festival organizers expressed their heartbreak over the situation, stating, “We are profoundly saddened by the incident, and we pray for the victims and their families during this difficult time.” Although afternoon events were canceled, the organizers indicated plans for religious services on Sunday.
