A guy named Todd Landry from Jeannelet, Louisianawas charged after he drove his car into a crowd of demonstrators, injuring at least 15 people, some of them seriously. Louisiana Lao New Year Festival Saturday, March 4, Iberia Parish. According to ABC News, the incident occurred at around 2:30 pm local time at the corner of Savannaket Street and Melancon Road.
Five things you need to know about Todd Landry
Here are five things we know about Landry so far:
- Landry, 57, was charged with driving under the influence, 18 counts of first-degree negligent injury, careless operation and open container.
- – Landry showed signs of impairment, according to state police.
- – A breath sample showed a blood alcohol content of 0.137 percent, nearly twice the legal limit, Newsweek reported.
- The Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office said the crash did not appear to be intentional. “Based on the initial investigation, this does not appear to be an intentional act,” Rebecca Melancon, public information officer for the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Department (IPSD), told Newsweek.
- Landry has been booked into the Iberia Parish Prison. The Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office is the lead investigating agency in the case.
The event where the tragedy occurred was promoted online as a three-day festival celebrating Laotian culture with “authentic food, live music, traditional dances, blessings from monks and water splashing”. Following the incident, Arcadia Ambulance dispatched ten ambulances and two helicopters to the scene.
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Eleven patients were transported by ground and 2 patients were transported by air. At least four people were reportedly present critical situation. The injured were taken to a hospital in Lafayette for treatment.
The Louisiana Lao New Year Festival said in a statement Statement on Facebook“We are deeply saddened by the news of an incident that occurred near the festival grounds. We are awaiting further details from authorities. All security resources have been moved to the site and due to the current situation, we currently have no security personnel. In the interest of public safety, tonight’s festival music program will be canceled (no live concerts, no alcohol sales). Vendors will be open until 9:00 p.m.”
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It added, “Our prayers are with the victims and their families during this difficult time. As of now, if security resources are restored tomorrow (Sunday), we will only reopen for religious services for the holiday and vendors will continue to operate.”
