BROUSSARD, LA — A “palpable cloud of shock” has settled over the Acadiana region following a devastating Saturday afternoon incident that transformed a cultural celebration into a “scene of trauma and mass casualties.” Authorities from Louisiana State Police Troop I have arrested 57-year-old Todd Landry of Jeanerette after his vehicle allegedly struck nearly 20 pedestrians during the Lao New Year Parade. State Troopers have confirmed that Landry was operating his vehicle under “significant impairment,” with a breath test revealing a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) nearly double the legal limit.

The incident occurred at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 4, 2026, near the intersection of Savannaket Street and Melancon Road, where hundreds had gathered for the highly anticipated parade.

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The Incident: 2:30 P.M. at Savannaket and Melancon

The nightmare unfolded in the heart of the parade route. According to investigators, the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office requested an immediate “high-priority intervention” from State Police after a vehicle breached the parade line and struck multiple people.

Responding Troopers identified the driver as Todd Landry. Upon initial contact, Landry reportedly “exhibited clear signs of impairment.” A subsequent breath test revealed a BAC of 0.137g%, far exceeding Louisiana’s legal limit of 0.08%. The “violent trajectory” of the vehicle left a total of 18 individuals suffering from varying degrees of injury, as medical helicopters and ambulances flooded the intersection.

The Legal Fallout: 18 Counts of First-Degree Negligent Injuring

Todd Landry was immediately taken into custody and transported to the Iberia Parish Jail. He is currently facing a litany of serious charges that reflect the “scale of the devastation” caused by the encounter.

Official Charges Filed Against Todd Landry:

• Driving While Impaired (1st Offense)

• First-Degree Negligent Injuring (18 Counts) — One for every pedestrian struck.

• Careless Operation

• Open Container Violation

Authorities have noted that while this is currently being processed as a “Driving While Impaired” first offense, the “sheer number of casualties” places this case at the “highest level of prosecutorial priority.”

The Investigation: An “Ongoing and Active” Review

While Landry is in custody, the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office remains the lead agency investigating the “full circumstances” of the crash. Forensic teams and State Police Detectives are currently:

• Reconstructing the Crash: Mapping how the vehicle accessed a restricted parade area.

• Analyzing Digital Evidence: Reviewing bystander photos and videos to determine the speed of the vehicle at the moment of impact.

• Witness Outreach: Speaking with the dozens of spectators who narrowly avoided the “lethal path” of the vehicle.

“This is a heartbreaking day for the Lao community and for all of us in Broussard,” a local official noted. “To have a celebration of renewal and heritage shattered by the ‘preventable crime’ of impaired driving is a ‘searing trauma’ for our city.”

A “Stark Reminder” for the Community

Law enforcement officials are using this “shattering event” as a “national-level warning” regarding the dangers of drinking and driving. The crash serves as a “stark reminder” that impairment has “no place in a public space,” especially during events involving families and children.

“We are urging the community to remain vigilant,” a State Police spokesperson stated. “The safety of our public events depends on the ‘sober and responsible actions’ of every driver. This was a tragedy that simply did not have to happen.”

How to Help: A Call for Visual Evidence

Louisiana State Police Detectives are making an “urgent and specific appeal” for any visual evidence from the scene. They are asking anyone who captured the moments before, during, or after the impact to share their media.

How to Provide Information:

• LSP Fusion Center Hotline: 1-800-434-8007

• Anonymous Tips: Submit through the “File a Report” system at the Louisiana State Police website.

In Support of the Victims

As the 18 individuals injured in the Broussard parade begin their “difficult and painful journey of recovery,” the entire state of Louisiana stands in “collective and unwavering mourning.” Though the parade was “interrupted by a criminal act,” the spirit of the Lao New Year remains a “permanent light.”

The intersection may be cleared of debris, but the “stain of loss” remains at Savannaket Street and Melancon Road. The public is being urged to “hold their loved ones a little closer” and to ensure that the “lethal consequences of impairment” are never forgotten.

Rest in hope. The hearts of Acadiana are with the victims of the Lao New Year Parade.