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At least 19 people were injured during the Lao New Year Parade in Louisiana after a driver plowed into a crowd — and he has since been taken into custody after it was determined he’d been driving under the influence.
Louisiana State Police arrested Todd Landry after he was accused of slamming into a cluster of people who’d gathered for the parade.
The incident took place on Saturday, April 4, around 2:30 p.m. Police rushed to the scene in response to reports of an incident “involving a vehicle that struck multiple pedestrians” at the corner of Savannakhet and Melancon Road in New Iberia, according to news releases from the Louisiana State Police (LSP) and Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office (IPSO).
“Several individuals sustained injuries, some of which are believed to be serious,” the IPSO added.
IPSO confirmed that 19 people were evaluated and treated at nearby hospitals for injuries following the crash, according to KATC.
Seven patients were admitted to the hospital and three patients remained in ICU as of the evening of Sunday, April 5, per the outlet.
IPSO also said that the act did not seem to be intentional, though authorities confirmed that Landry, 57, had been drinking at the time of the crash.
Landry reportedly took a breath test, which revealed he had a blood alcohol content of 0.137. In Louisiana, the legal blood alcohol content limit for drivers is 0.08%.
He was then arrested and booked into the Iberia Parish jail for driving while impaired, 18 counts of first-degree negligent injuring, careless operation and open container.
It is not currently clear if Landry has entered a plea or retained legal counsel following his arrest. The IPSO did not immediately respond to Us Weekly’s request for comment regarding the case.
News 15 obtained footage of the incident, which showed several people lying on the ground after they were struck by the vehicle. Meanwhile, others were seen helping those who were injured.
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“We were all walking in the parade, listening to music, getting sprayed with water, having fun, and I noticed a guy get into his car, [and]he starts revving his engine and he inches closer to the parade,” witness Eli Anderson told KHOU 11 following the crash. “I just simply thought that he was coming to join the parade … and he inches closer and closer, revs his engine again and just plows through everybody.”
The organizers of the Louisiana Lao New Year Parade took to Facebook to issue a statement about the incident.
“We are profoundly saddened by the news of the incident near the festival grounds. We are awaiting additional details from authorities as they become available,” the statement read. “All security resources have been redirected to the scene, and we currently do not have security personnel available due to the circumstances … We are praying for the victims and for their families during this difficult time.”
