topic Re: DUI Driver Plows into Mardi Gras Parade in Community Chat

DUI Driver Plows into Mardi Gras Parade

KingstonsMom — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 15:48:02 GMT

28 people were injured when a truck plowed into people in New Orleans at the largest parade of Mardi Gras
Five are considered to be in critical condition, 21 were hospitalized and seven declined medical treatment
A three-year-old boy was injured but is in stable condition. The oldest person injured was in their forties
The crash happened at the corner of Orleans and N. Carrollton avenues during the Endymion Parade
Authorities say the 26-year-old driver appears to have been 'highly intoxicated' and was arrested at the scene
Police say there's no evidence to suspect terrorism and it appears to be a drunk driving incident

At least 28 people have been injured when a truck plowed into party-goers at a Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans.

NOPD Superintendent Michael Harrison said there is no evidence to suspect it was an act of terrorism,

instead saying the 26-year-old driver appeared 'highly intoxicated'.

Victims' ages range from age three to their forties, according to the New Orleans Advocate. In total, 21 were taken to seven different hospitals throughout the city. Five are in critical condition and are being treated at trauma centers. Seven declined medical treatment.

*No link provided due to graphic photos/content, use Google

Re: DUI Driver Plows into Mardi Gras Parade

YorkieonmyPillow — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 15:51:28 GMT

Isn't that awful. OMG

Re: DUI Driver Plows into Mardi Gras Parade

patbz — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 15:56:24 GMT

Just yesterday I heard a salesperson say that they needed to blockade the parade route to stop just this sort of thing. This is our new reality; it's amazing law enforcement missed this!

Re: DUI Driver Plows into Mardi Gras Parade

KingstonsMom — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 15:56:33 GMT

Healing thoughts go out to those injured.

We really need to toughen up DUI laws, IMHO.

I read a story yesterday where a son, coming home early morning DUI, had a head on collision with his own father who was driving his early morning bread delivery truck.

They were both killed. Just tragic.

Re: DUI Driver Plows into Mardi Gras Parade

YorkieonmyPillow — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 15:58:58 GMT

@KingstonsMomI read that, too! Wasn't that weird! Their family must be devastated...

Re: DUI Driver Plows into Mardi Gras Parade

KingstonsMom — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 16:01:15 GMT

@YorkieonmyPillow

I know.....that poor Mom and wife especially. It must be heartbreaking.

Re: DUI Driver Plows into Mardi Gras Parade

YorkieonmyPillow — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 16:04:27 GMT

@KingstonsMomI have no problems. I really have no problems and I realize it when I hear of something like this -

It's sobering to realize what some people have to bear in life.

Re: DUI Driver Plows into Mardi Gras Parade

SahmIam — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 16:08:25 GMT

My first thought was what was a 3 year old doing there?

My second thought was wonder if the drunk driver will serve any time followed by is this his first DUI?

Re: DUI Driver Plows into Mardi Gras Parade

KingstonsMom — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 16:15:30 GMT

@SahmIam wrote:
My first thought was what was a 3 year old doing there?

My second thought was wonder if the drunk driver will serve any time followed by is this his first DUI?

@SahmIam

Apparently this is considered a family event in N.O.:

In a statement, the FBI said Saturday night: 'The FBI New Orleans Division is aware of the mass casualty incident that happened along the Endymion Mardi Gras parade route this evening in New Orleans.

'We are currently coordinating with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to determine whether a federal violation has occurred.'

Mayor Mitch Landrieu told the New Orleans Advocate: 'We've had individuals who made really bad decisions today.

'Innocent people were hurt here today. Families watching the parade.'

Re: DUI Driver Plows into Mardi Gras Parade

chrystaltree — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 16:16:18 GMT

Yeah, it's all over the news. Drunk driver. It's tragic.

Re: DUI Driver Plows into Mardi Gras Parade

SahmIam — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 16:21:56 GMT

@KingstonsMom wrote:
@SahmIam wrote:
My first thought was what was a 3 year old doing there?

My second thought was wonder if the drunk driver will serve any time followed by is this his first DUI?

@SahmIam

Apparently this is considered a family event in N.O.:

In a statement, the FBI said Saturday night: 'The FBI New Orleans Division is aware of the mass casualty incident that happened along the Endymion Mardi Gras parade route this evening in New Orleans.

'We are currently coordinating with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to determine whether a federal violation has occurred.'

Mayor Mitch Landrieu told the New Orleans Advocate: 'We've had individuals who made really bad decisions today.

'Innocent people were hurt here today. Families watching the parade.'

Then I am misunderstanding what this was. Was this a parade like the Macy's Christmas parade where someone ELSE is marching and you stand on the sidelines or is this a group of people parading down the marked route celebrating Mardi Gras?

I took it at the latter where booze is everywhere (as well as many other things). I've been to Mardi Gras back in the day and don't recall the former (but it's been a LONG time so maybe it's something new or I was simply to busy sleeping at 6:45 pm).

If the former, my apology. If the latter, my question stands.

Re: DUI Driver Plows into Mardi Gras Parade

Puzzle Piece — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 16:45:58 GMT

Heard about this on the news. We had our own auto tragedies here in Los Angeles these last three days. It's really just all too much.

Re: DUI Driver Plows into Mardi Gras Parade

sunshine45 — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 16:54:48 GMT

@SahmIam

this is a parade where floats and their krewes go down the parade route with people standing on the sides as spectators. yes, they are family events and yes, there are people who are drinking.

http://www.nola.com/traffic/index.ssf/2017/02/endymion_truck_crash_what.html

Re: DUI Driver Plows into Mardi Gras Parade

RetRN — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 17:16:22 GMT

I was to Mardi Gras only once and would never go again. It was one big, wild party and no place for a child.

Re: DUI Driver Plows into Mardi Gras Parade

SahmIam — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 17:17:03 GMT

@sunshine45 Thank you for the info. The whole situation is just so sad : (

Re: DUI Driver Plows into Mardi Gras Parade

Tinkrbl44 — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 17:57:43 GMT

@KingstonsMom

Wait a minute ,,,,, I thought mardi gras was next week ..... when is it, actually?

Re: DUI Driver Plows into Mardi Gras Parade

sunshine45 — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 18:11:11 GMT

@Tinkrbl44

mardi gras itself is fat tuesday....2/28/17.

these are all of the parades, parties, and celebrations leading up to that tuesday before lent begins.......aka shrove tuesday and ash wednesday.

Re: DUI Driver Plows into Mardi Gras Parade

Perkup — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 18:32:11 GMT

I've lived here for a little more than 40 years. I totally disagree with the poster who indicated that Mardi Gras is not for children. The eight that I raised, including my own four, as well as my dozen grands, had the most wonderful times at Mardi Gras and we all have marvelous Mardi Gras memories. Dawn to dusk picnics on the street, romping around with "new" friends between parades, contests on who catches the most beads, singing and dancing to the constant music, making new friends and enjoying friends of long standing; just fun days for young and old alike.

The Endymion parade and the Orpheus parade in New Orleans (both nighttime events) are some of the most amazing, colorful, fun spectacles imaginable. Incredible costumes, great music, and fun for all ages. If all you saw in your one time visit was the ugly part of any big public event, you were in the wrong place at the worst times, and missed one of the most delightful public events in our country.

Yes, there is too much alcohol involved, but much of that is the out of towners who come in to party, thinking that's what it's all about. For those of us who spend our lives here (or for me about half of my live), Mardi Gras is a fun, colorful, exciting tradition that is cherished and will continue. And we will continue to bring our children and grandchildren and enjoy to the fullest.

The fact is, the world is full of "individuals who make very bad decisions" as Mayor Landrieu put it, and those people often are drawn to major public events. Many equate party with alcohol consumption. Apparently the young man driving the truck yesterday was drunk (and possibly too young to be drinking) per the local news. A tragedy, which, thank God, did not yet result in any deaths yet. I have one acquaintance who is currently hospitalized with a broken bone, but he will live, as will most all the injured. The man who drove the truck into the crowd has destroyed his own life, will no doubt do substantial jail time. He should have put down the glass. Come enjoy Mardi Gras sober and you'll "pass a good time."

Re: DUI Driver Plows into Mardi Gras Parade

sunshine45 — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 18:49:09 GMT

that is so well stated @Perkup and i agree that it is very much a family time......lots of kids around with big eyes that are filled with amazement. it is such an old tradition in the new orleans area. i spent a few years living there and loved it.......and loved MARDI GRAS time.

Re: DUI Driver Plows into Mardi Gras Parade

shoesnbags — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 19:23:20 GMT

I'm a native New Orleanian, and Perkup couldn't have said it better. Mardi Gras is not all Bourbon Street & Canal Street. Of course, that's where all of the news crews (and tourists) go, so that's what you'll see on the national news. For the poster who asked, yes this is like the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, but with lights because it takes place at night. And there are dozens of these parades spread out over a two week period, over a larger geographical area than just the immediate city of NOLA. Almost all are family-friendly events. Mardi Gras day (Feb. 28 this year) is the grand finale of Carnival season.

@SahmIamI think you're confusing an actual Mardi Gras parade with "second-lining" where people are dancing down the street, no floats involved. And if you were young and in the French Quarter "back in the day", dancing in the street may have been the least of what you were doing, lol. The families involved in yesterday's tragedy were on a wide, grassy median being spectators to a very beautiful parade.

@Perkup wrote:
I've lived here for a little more than 40 years. I totally disagree with the poster who indicated that Mardi Gras is not for children. The eight that I raised, including my own four, as well as my dozen grands, had the most wonderful times at Mardi Gras and we all have marvelous Mardi Gras memories. Dawn to dusk picnics on the street, romping around with "new" friends between parades, contests on who catches the most beads, singing and dancing to the constant music, making new friends and enjoying friends of long standing; just fun days for young and old alike.

The Endymion parade and the Orpheus parade in New Orleans (both nighttime events) are some of the most amazing, colorful, fun spectacles imaginable. Incredible costumes, great music, and fun for all ages. If all you saw in your one time visit was the ugly part of any big public event, you were in the wrong place at the worst times, and missed one of the most delightful public events in our country.

Yes, there is too much alcohol involved, but much of that is the out of towners who come in to party, thinking that's what it's all about. For those of us who spend our lives here (or for me about half of my live), Mardi Gras is a fun, colorful, exciting tradition that is cherished and will continue. And we will continue to bring our children and grandchildren and enjoy to the fullest.

The fact is, the world is full of "individuals who make very bad decisions" as Mayor Landrieu put it, and those people often are drawn to major public events. Many equate party with alcohol consumption. Apparently the young man driving the truck yesterday was drunk (and possibly too young to be drinking) per the local news. A tragedy, which, thank God, did not yet result in any deaths yet. I have one acquaintance who is currently hospitalized with a broken bone, but he will live, as will most all the injured. The man who drove the truck into the crowd has destroyed his own life, will no doubt do substantial jail time. He should have put down the glass. Come enjoy Mardi Gras sober and you'll "pass a good time."