Vehicle slams into Louisiana crowd, injuring at least 15, sheriff’s office says

April 4 (Reuters) – At least 15 people were injured on Saturday, some critically, after a car slammed into a crowd near a community event in New Iberia, Louisiana, law enforcement officials said.

A suspect was in custody and an investigation was ongoing following the incident, which occurred near a Lao New Year celebration, Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Rebecca Melancon said. It was unclear whether the car incident was deliberate, she said.

Acadian Ambulance posted on social media that it transported 13 people to the hospital. Two of them were airlifted, the ambulance service wrote on X. 

Organizers of the Louisiana Lao New Year Festival said on Facebook they were cancelling Saturday evening’s music concerts, as well as alcohol sales. 

“We are profoundly saddened by the news of the incident near the festival grounds,” the organizers said on Facebook. “We are praying for the victims and for their families during this difficult time.”

The three-day festival held every Easter weekend includes live music, parades and other activities celebrating the Lao New Year.

(Reporting by Noel Randewich in San Francisco; Editing by Sergio Non and Matthew Lewis)