LSP: At least 18 injured when alleged drunk driver plows into parade goers in Iberia Parish

An alleged drunk driver crashed into more than a dozen people watching a parade in Iberia Parish on Saturday.

State Police have charged 57-year-old Todd Landry of Jeanerette with driving while impaired, open container, careless operation and 18 counts of first-degree injuring.

LSP says at least 18 people watching the Lao New Year Parade in Broussard were injured.

Troopers say Landry showed signs of impairment and a breath sample showed he had a BAC of 0.137. The legal limit is .08.

Acadiana Ambulance says they transported a total of 11 patients by ground and two victims by air. Four of victims reportedly suffered critical injuries.

The parade is one of the highlights of a three-day New Year celebration in the Lanxang Village, a Laotian neighborhood near New Iberia with hundreds of families, and near the Buddhist temple grounds of Wat Thammarattanaram.

The event features Southeastern Asian food, music, a parade and plenty of family friend activities that attract thousands each year.

Governor Jeff Landry released the following statement.

“Sharon and I are praying for all those affected, and are grateful for the first responders who have responded to the scene,” he said.