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A man has been charged with driving under the influence in a crash that injured more than a dozen revelers at a parade celebrating the Lao New Year in Louisiana.
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Todd Landry was also charged with 18 counts of first-degree vehicular negligent injuring, as well as one count each of possession of alcohol in a vehicle and careless driving, according to jail and court records.
A car struck “multiple pedestrians” Saturday afternoon at the corner of Savannakhet Street and Melancon Road in Broussard, the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office said, noting some injuries were “serious.”
On Sunday, state police said 18 people were hurt. Ambulance service Acadian Ambulance said on X that it transported 11 patients by ground and two by air.
The crash happened during a Lao New Year event celebrating the Buddhist new year in Broussard, a city of around 15,000, about 8 miles southwest of Lafayette and near the city of New Iberia.
Video from the scene showed a blue, mid-1960s Chevrolet Chevelle surrounded by yellow crime scene tape.
The driver was taken into custody soon after the crash. Louisiana State Police identified him as Landry, 57, of Jeanerette, a small city of about 5,000 in Iberia Parish.
Landry showed “signs of impairment,” and a breath test indicated he had a blood alcohol content level of 0.137%, according to state police. The legal limit in Louisiana is 0.08%.
“Based on the preliminary investigation, this does not appear to be an intentional act,” the sheriff’s office said earlier.
The investigation continues, and it’s not clear whether Landry has legal representation. The state public defender’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Sunday.
Festival organizers canceled Saturday evening’s music programs.
“We are profoundly saddened by the news of the incident near the festival grounds. We are awaiting additional details from authorities as they become available,” organizers said on the event’s Facebook page, noting that security has been redirected to the scene.
“We are praying for the victims and for their families during this difficult time,” they added.
The festival will reopen scheduled religious services Sunday and vendors will be open if security resources “are restored,” the organizers said.
Gov. Jeff Landry wrote on Facebook: “Sharon and I are praying for all those affected, and are grateful for the first responders who have responded to the scene.”
Marlene Lenthang is a breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital.
Meriam Bouarrouj is an NBC News assignment editor.
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