Man charged with impaired driving after car plows into pedestrians during Louisiana parade: Authorities
Several people were hurt, including some seriously, after a car crashed into a Lao New Year parade in Broussard, Louisiana, Saturday afternoon, authorities said.
The driver, identified by Louisiana State Police as 57-year-old Todd Landry, of Jeanerette, Louisiana, has been charged with driving while impaired, 18 counts of first-degree negligent injuring, and other charges.
State police said Landry showed signs of impairment, and a breath sample indicated a blood alcohol content above the legal limit.
The Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office said earlier it did not appear the crash was intentional.
A local ambulance company company Acadian Ambulance said initially at least 13 were taken to the hospital after incident, including two who were airlifted.
The incident occurred about 2:30 p.m. local time on the corner of Savannaket Street and Melancon Road.
Organizers of the Louisiana Lao New Year Festival said in a statement that they were cancelling the rest of the events scheduled for the day.
"All security resources have been redirected to the scene, and we currently do not have security personnel available due to the circumstances," they said in a statement.
"We are praying for the victims and for their families during this difficult time," the organizers added.
