At least 13 people were hospitalized after a car struck revelers at a parade celebrating the Lao New Year in Louisiana, officials said. <\/p>\n
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The car struck “multiple pedestrians” Saturday afternoon at the corner of Savannakhet and Melancon Road in New Iberia, the Iberia Parish Sheriff\u2019s Office told NBC News. <\/p>\n
A Louisiana Lao New Year event celebrating the Buddhist new year was underway at the time.<\/p>\n
“Several individuals sustained injuries, some of which are believed to be serious,” the sheriff’s office said. <\/p>\n
Acadian Ambulance, an ambulance service, said on X <\/a>it transported 11 patients by ground and two by air as a result of the incident.<\/p>\n The driver is in custody, the sheriff’s office said, without disclosing their name. <\/p>\n “Based on the preliminary investigation, this does not appear to be an intentional act,” the office said. <\/p>\n The investigation is ongoing.<\/p>\n Festival organizers canceled Saturday evening\u2019s music programs in light of the crash.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are profoundly saddened by the news of the incident near the festival grounds. We are awaiting additional details from authorities as they become available,\u201d organizers said in a post on the event’s Facebook page<\/a>, noting that security has been redirected to the scene.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are praying for the victims and for their families during this difficult time,\u201d they added.<\/p>\n The festival will reopen scheduled religious services Sunday and vendors will be open if security resources \u201care restored,\u201d the organizers said. <\/p>\n