Fifteen people were injured, some seriously, on Saturday after a vehicle struck several pedestrians during a parade in New Iberia, Louisiana, the Iberia County Sheriff’s Office said.
The driver of the vehicle is in custody, and the preliminary investigation determined the incident “does not appear to be an intentional act,” said Rebecca Melancon, the sheriff’s public information officer.
The Louisiana Lao New Year Festival said it is “deeply saddened by the news of the incident near the festival site.” The festival, which began on Friday night (3), reported that it is still awaiting additional information from the authorities.
“All security resources have been redirected to the location, and we currently do not have security personnel available due to the circumstances,” the statement read. The festival’s musical programs on Saturday night have been cancelled, but vendors will remain open until 9pm.
Depending on whether security features are reestablished for Sunday, the festival will continue but will only involve religious services and vendors, the statement said.
“We are praying for the victims and their families at this difficult time,” festival organizers said.
Eli Anderson, a festival attendee and witness to the accident, told the CNN, to KATC, which was just a few meters away. “At that moment, my brain just stopped. I just thought, ‘Is this really happening?'” Anderson said.
He said he and other festival attendees were riding in the parade, listening to music and having fun, when he noticed a man “getting into the car, starting to rev up the engine and approaching the parade.”
“I just thought he was coming to join the parade, because the car was beautiful and making noise. He got closer and closer, revved the engine again and,” he continued.
“There were people in the golf cart, the guy hit the cart and they went flying out. I don’t know exactly what happened to them, but I know they’re in the hospital right now,” he told KATC.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said on X that he and his wife are “praying for everyone affected and are grateful to the first responders who responded to the scene.”
State Attorney General Liz Murrill also released a statement, saying she is “praying for all those injured and impacted by this terrible tragedy and will accompany law enforcement agencies to offer support.”
