By Erika Hernandez
More than a dozen people were injured after a driver allegedly under the influence of alcohol broke into a parade celebrating the Lao New Year Saturday in the town of Fresh Iberia, in southern Louisiana.
The Acadian Ambulance emergency service reported that 11 patients were transferred in ambulances and two others in medical helicopters. According to authorities, some of the victims have serious injuries.
Driver will face multiple charges
The suspect was identified as Todd Landry, 57, of Jeanerette. Following his arrest, he was charged with driving under the influence, 18 counts of negligent injury, reckless driving and possession of an open container of an alcoholic beverage.
According to a press release from the Louisiana State Police, the man showed obvious signs of intoxication and registered a blood alcohol concentration of 0.137%, a figure that far exceeds the state’s staunch class limit of 0.08%.
Scenes of chaos and rescue
Videos spread on social networks show the magnitude of the impact: several people remained lying on the ground while emergency teams worked to free a victim who was trapped under a vehicle in a ditch.
In total, ten ambulances and two helicopters went to the scene to attend to the emergency, in a rapid mobilization of rescue services.
The Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office indicated that, According to the first findings, the accident does not appear to have been an intentional act. However, authorities continue to investigate the exact circumstances of the incident.
Fresh Iberia is a small Cajun community located about 30 minutes from Lafayette.
Keep reading:
–Teacher accused of inappropriate behavior with a minor arrested in Louisiana
–From Teacher of the Year to criminal defendant: Louisiana teacher arrested for child abuse
–5-year-old boy dies of malnutrition in Louisiana: he weighed 19 pounds due to alleged neglect of his parents
