At least 15 individuals sustained injuries, some of them serious, during the Lao New Year Parade in New Iberia, Louisiana, on Saturday, April 4. The incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. local time when a vehicle struck a crowd of pedestrians celebrating the festival at the intersection of Savannakhet and Melancon Road.
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According to reports from the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office (IPSO) and Louisiana State Police (LSP), the collision had a significant impact on those attending the parade. Preliminary details suggest that the vehicle did not appear to have been driven deliberately into the crowd, indicating that the incident might not be considered intentional by authorities.
The driver, identified as 57-year-old Todd Landry, was arrested at the scene and charged with multiple offences, including driving while impaired, negligent operation of a vehicle, and possessing an open container of alcohol. During the investigation, it was discovered that Landry’s blood alcohol concentration was 0.137%, significantly above the legal limit of 0.08% in Louisiana.
Footage taken shortly after the crash shows a chaotic situation, with several victims lying on the ground and other attendees attempting to assist those injured. Eyewitness Eli Anderson recounted the frightening moments leading up to the collision, stating that he had initially thought the driver was merely joining the parade. Instead, the vehicle accelerated into the crowd, leading to the tragic circumstances.
Emergency services, including Acadian Ambulance, transported 13 individuals to local hospitals for treatment, with two requiring airlifting due to the severity of their injuries. As news of the incident spread, it prompted immediate responses from both local law enforcement and the parade’s organising committee.
The organisers of the Lao New Year Parade expressed their profound sadness in a statement on social media, stating, “We are profoundly saddened by the news of the incident near the festival grounds. All security resources have been redirected to the scene, and we currently do not have security personnel available due to the circumstances.” They went on to offer thoughts and prayers for the victims and their families during this challenging time.
As a result of the collision, music programmes planned for the evening were cancelled. However, the organisers indicated that should security measures be reinstated, they would allow religious services to take place the following day, with vendors remaining operational.
The investigation into the crash is being led by the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office. Authorities are appealing to the public for any additional information or footage related to the incident, urging anyone with pertinent details to contact them via their reporting system.
In the aftermath of this distressing event, local authorities are working diligently to gather more information and ensure the safety of the community as they seek to address the concerns arising from the tragic incident. The situation remains under close scrutiny as the investigation unfolds.