Law enforcement provided an update today on Saturday’s incident at the Lao New Year parade where a suspected drunk driver plowed into a crowd of people, injuring 18 individuals. Many people of Asian descendent were at the festival, but Iberia Parish Sheriff Tommy Romero says that’s not what led to 57-year-old Todd Landry of Jeanerette hitting several people with his vehicle.
“I want to begin by stating that, at this point in our investigation, we have no evidence to support this as being a hate crime or a terrorist act,” Romero said.
Landry remains in jail on a $247,000 bond. State Police Trooper Monique Lavergne says Landry showed signs of impairment at the scene and a breath sample indicated his blood alcohol content was .137, well over the legal limit.
“This incident highlights a very real and immediate consequence of impaired driving. One decision can change lives in an instant, especially in crowded settings,” Lavergne said.
Romero says three of the 18 people injured were in intensive care, but they have not received any additional updates since Sunday, other than the hospitalized victims are in stable condition or have been released.
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