Washington: A suspected drunk driver plowed a pickup truck into a Mardi Gras parade on Sunday in New Orleans, leaving 28 people injured, including children, officials said. “At this time it appears that it’s a subject who was highly intoxicated, who struck a number of vehicles and then veered off hitting a whole bunch of innocent people,” New Orleans police chief Michael Harrison told reporters.
Seven of those injured declined to go to the hospital, an official at the press conference said. The age of the victims ranged from an approximately three- to four-year old child who was in stable condition, to people in their 30s or 40s, he added.
According to Harrison the vehicle driver is under investigation for drunk driving “and of course hitting all the people who were injured.” The driver plowed into the crowd as spectators watched the Krewe of Endymion parade, which is part of the city’s famous Mardi Gras celebrations. “Krewes” are the private organisations that lead parades and throw balls during the Carnival season.
