Car slams into Louisiana Lao New Year parade, injuring about 15 people

Authorities in New Iberia, Louisiana, have said the incident does not appear to be an intentional car-ramming.An estimated 15 people have been injured in Louisiana’s Iberia Parish, after a car struck participants at a Lao New Year parade in the United States.According to a statement from the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office on Saturday, some attendees were seriously injured.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Federal agent shoots Venezuelan immigrant in Minneapolis: What we knowlist 2 of 3Four dead after car crashes into after-school camp in US state of Illinoislist 3 of 3Why are airlines warning of delays during the US government shutdown?end of list“Based on the preliminary investigation, this does not appear to be an intentional act,” said Rebecca Melancon, a sheriff’s office spokesperson.The Acadian Ambulance company confirmed on social media that it had taken 11 people to the hospital using ground transport, and another two victims were airlifted to seek urgent care. Ten ambulances and two medical helicopters were deployed to the scene.The incident took place in New Iberia, a city of more than 28,000 in Iberia Parish, some 34km (21 miles) south of Lafayette, Louisiana. It is situated roughly 214km (130 miles) west of New Orleans.The Louisiana Lao New Year Festival parade is an annual tradition on Easter weekend in the parish, and the celebration features live music, food vendors and a beauty pageant.In the aftermath of the car crash, the festival issued a statement on social media, saying that all of its security resources had been surged to the scene.“We are profoundly saddened by the news of the incident near the festival grounds,” festival organisers wrote. “We are awaiting additional details from authorities as they become available.”They added that Saturday’s musical events were cancelled, though vendors were permitted to stay open until 9pm local time (2:00am GMT, Sunday).