Vehicle Incident at Louisiana Lao New Year Parade Injures Multiple Revelers

On Saturday, a vehicle struck participants at a parade celebrating the Lao New Year in rural Louisiana, resulting in injuries to approximately 15 individuals, some of whom sustained serious injuries. The incident occurred in Broussard and New Iberia, where the annual event is held as part of a three-day celebration in the Lanxang Village, a Laotian community near the Buddhist temple grounds of Wat Thammarattanaram.

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The driver, a 57-year-old resident of Jeanerette, was arrested at the scene and charged with impaired, negligent, and careless driving, as well as possessing an open container of alcohol in the vehicle. Authorities reported that the driver appeared impaired upon their arrival and later tested positive for a high blood alcohol level. Eyewitness videos shared on social media depicted multiple individuals on the ground, with firefighters attending to one person trapped beneath the vehicle, which ended up in a ditch along the parade route. Acadian Ambulance responded to the emergency at around 2:30 p.m., deploying 10 ambulances and a helicopter to assist the injured, with two patients requiring airlift to medical facilities.

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Rebecca Melancon, a spokesperson for the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office, indicated that preliminary investigations suggest the incident was not intentional. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry expressed his concern, stating, “Sharon and I are praying for all those affected, and are grateful for the first responders who have responded to the scene.” The festival's organizers also released a statement expressing their sorrow over the incident, stating they were “profoundly saddened” and praying for the victims and their families.

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In light of the incident, afternoon and evening events of the festival were canceled. However, the organizers announced plans to continue with religious services scheduled for Sunday, emphasizing their commitment to the community during this difficult time.

Associated Press

While the incident has drawn significant attention, there have been no public dissenting viewpoints reported regarding the response or handling of the situation by authorities or festival organizers.

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• “Based on the preliminary investigation, this does not appear to be an intentional act,” — Rebecca Melancon, Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office

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• “Sharon and I are praying for all those affected, and are grateful for the first responders who have responded to the scene,” — Jeff Landry, Governor of Louisiana

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• “We are praying for the victims and for their families during this difficult time,” — Festival Organizers

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This incident highlights the potential dangers associated with impaired driving, particularly during community celebrations, and underscores the importance of public safety measures at large gatherings.

Associated Press