One man is in custody after an accident at a Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans injured at least 21 people — with five having serious injuries.
via CNN:
Police Chief Michael Harrison said it appeared the suspect, who was driving a pickup truck that hit two cars before running into the crowd, was likely highly intoxicated. Among the injured, the youngest is 3 and the oldest are in their 40s. None of the injuries was life-threatening, officials said.
The incident occurred near the intersection of Orleans and Carrollton Avenues where the Krewe of Endymion parade was underway.
Here are the latest developments in this story:
• Harrison said there is no indication the accident was an act of terrorism.
• Video from CNN affiliate WDSU showed a gray pickup truck that had crashed into a dump truck on a median near the intersection.
• Witnesses told the station the pickup came down one of the streets and struck several cars before hitting people in the crowd watching the parade.
• “I saw the gray truck flying down Carrollton Avenue,” a female witness told WDSU. “He sped up and he lost control and you could see was getting ready to turn and I knew he was going to run into all those people.”
The Endymion parade is one of the largest and most family-oriented parades leading up to Mardi Gras, which is Tuesday. Many parents brought their children to the event — which is held far from the French Quarter.
The story is still developing…
