Fifteen people were rushed to hospitals Saturday after a vehicle crashed into a crowd gathered for a cultural celebration in New Iberia, Louisiana, according to local law enforcement.
The crash happened near festivities for the Lao New Year, leaving several victims with critical injuries, said Rebecca Melancon, a spokesperson for the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office. Authorities have taken a suspect into custody, though investigators have not yet determined whether the driver intentionally targeted the crowd, Melancon explained.
Emergency responders from Acadian Ambulance transported 13 victims to area medical facilities, the service reported on social media. The most severely injured patients required helicopter transport to trauma centers, according to the ambulance company’s post on X.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash continues as officials work to determine what led to the incident during the community celebration.
