At Least 13 Injured When Vehicle Hits Lao New Year Parade Crowd in Louisiana; Driver in Custody, Incident Not Believed Intentional
At least 13 people were injured when a vehicle struck revelers during a Lao New Year festival at Lanxang Village near New Iberia, Louisiana; some reports put the number around 15, with several seriously hurt, two patients airlifted and at least one person briefly trapped beneath the vehicle, which ended up in a ditch. The driver is in custody and authorities say the incident does not appear to be intentional; Gov. Jeff Landry said he and his wife are praying for those affected and thanked first responders.
📌 Key Facts
- A vehicle struck revelers during a Lao New Year parade at Lanxang Village near New Iberia on the Wat Thammarattanaram temple grounds; the event was part of a three‑day festival celebrating the Buddhist (Lao) New Year.
- At least 13 people were injured; Acadian Ambulance reported transporting 11 patients by ground and 2 by air, while ABC News updated the figure to "around 15 people hurt, some seriously," and said two patients were airlifted.
- Emergency responders included about 10 ambulances and a helicopter.
- At least one person was trapped beneath the vehicle, which ended up in a ditch along the parade route.
- The driver is in custody, and law enforcement’s preliminary assessment is that the incident does not appear to be intentional.
- Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry issued a public statement saying he and his wife are praying for those affected and thanking first responders.
📊 Relevant Data
The vehicle crash occurred during the parade of the Louisiana Lao New Year Festival, a three-day event celebrating Lao culture and traditions hosted in Iberia Parish.
Louisiana festival: 3 days celebrating Lao culture, traditions — KLFY
Laotian immigrants began settling in Iberia Parish in the early 1980s as refugees fleeing political upheaval and the communist takeover in Laos following the Vietnam War in 1975, with resettlement facilitated by the U.S. Refugee Act of 1980 and organizations like Catholic Charities that directed them to Louisiana for agricultural and fishing opportunities.
How Lao immigrants recreated home in South Louisiana — The Advocate
Asian residents make up 2.7% of Iberia Parish's population as of 2023, compared to 2.1% statewide in Louisiana, reflecting a higher concentration due to Laotian refugee resettlement in the area.
Iberia Parish, Louisiana - U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts — U.S. Census Bureau
Nationally, Black pedestrians are more than twice as likely as White pedestrians to be struck and killed by vehicles per mile walked, with similar disparities for Native American and Hispanic pedestrians, based on 2016-2020 data.
American Road Deaths Show an Alarming Racial Gap — The New York Times
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Confirms at least 13 people were injured, with Acadian Ambulance stating it transported 11 patients by ground and 2 by air.
- Reports law enforcement's preliminary assessment that the incident does not appear to be an intentional act.
- Clarifies that the event was the Louisiana Lao New Year Festival celebrating the Buddhist New Year, and repeats that the driver is in custody.
- Confirms the parade was celebrating the Lao New Year and was part of a three‑day festival at Lanxang Village near New Iberia and the Wat Thammarattanaram temple grounds.
- Updates the injury figure to 'around 15 people hurt, some seriously,' while reaffirming that two patients were airlifted and that a total of 10 ambulances plus a helicopter responded.
- Provides additional visual/operational detail that at least one person was trapped beneath the vehicle, which ended up in a ditch along the parade route.
- Includes a public statement from Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry saying he and his wife are praying for those affected and thanking first responders.