NEW IBERIA, LOUISIANA — A vehicle struck revelers at a parade celebrating the Lao New Year in New Iberia, Louisiana, on April 4, 2026, injuring more than 20 people and prompting the arrest of the driver. At least 13 people were hospitalized, with some suffering serious injuries.

The crash occurred at the corner of Savannakhet and Melancon Road along the parade route. Video showed multiple people on the ground at the event in the communities of Broussard and New Iberia, while additional footage showed firefighters tending to a person trapped beneath the car, which ended up in a ditch.

Acadian Ambulance responded around 2:30 p.m., dispatching 10 ambulances and a helicopter, a private ambulance company said. The company transported 11 patients by ground and two by air.

Louisiana State Police identified the driver as Todd Landry, a 57-year-old resident of Jeanerette, Louisiana, state police said. The driver appeared impaired when police arrived and later tested positive for a high blood alcohol level. A breathalyzer test showed his blood alcohol content at 0.137%, above the legal limit of 0.08%, state police said.

Landry was charged with driving while impaired, negligent and careless operation, and having an open container of alcohol in the vehicle, police said. He was booked into the Iberia Parish jail, state police said. Based on a preliminary investigation, the incident did not appear to be intentional, a spokesperson said.

The parade was part of a three-day annual Lao New Year celebration held Friday through Sunday in Lanxang Village near New Iberia. Lanxang Village is a Laotian neighborhood with hundreds of families, located near the Buddhist temple grounds of Wat Thammarattanaram. The event features Southeast Asian food, live music, a parade and other family-friendly activities that attract thousands of attendees each year.

"Sharon and I are praying for all those affected, and are grateful for the first responders who have responded to the scene," said Jeff Landry, governor of Louisiana.

"We are profoundly saddened by the incident. We are praying for the victims and for their families during this difficult time," organizers of the Louisiana Lao New Year Festival posted on Facebook.

Following the crash, organizers canceled Saturday evening music programs, though vendors at the festival remained open until 9 p.m. on Saturday. The festival planned to hold religious services on Sunday.