Twenty-one people were injured Saturday when a suspected drunken driver crashed a grey pickup truck into spectators at the Kreme of Endymion parade in New Orleans’ Mid-City section, according to police.
According to officials, 21 people were taken to seven local hospitals. Five were in critical condition while seven others declined treatment. None of the injuries appear to be life-threatening, according to EMS Director Jeffrey Elder.
The wreck came during the final weekend of Carnival and caused a 10 minute pause in the parade.
According to New Orleans Police Superintendent Michael Harrison, the driver was quickly arrested.
Mayor Mitch Landrieu said that there’s no evidence that suggests terrorism as a factor.
We are grateful that no one suffered any life threatening injuries.
— Mitch Landrieu (@MayorLandrieu) February 26, 2017
“Obviously you don’t want to have a day like this,” Landrieu said. “We train year round to respond to events that can’t be stopped because of bad decisions.”
According to witness L.A. Morgan, the truck hit several vehicles and turned sideways before stopping.
“There were bodies flying off the hood while he was still driving,” witness Trey Klechak said to the Times-Picayune. “Luckily there was a dump truck parked on the other side, and luckily when he went up on neutral ground, he slammed into the dump truck.”
