Broussard, La. March 5, 2026 — A drunken driver crashed into a crowd of parade-goers Saturday afternoon during the Louisiana Lao New Year Festival, injuring at least 15 people — several critically — in an attack that shook the Laotian American community in Iberia Parish.
The crash happened around 2:40 p.m. at the corner of Savannakhet Street and Melancon Road, near the Buddhist temple grounds of Wat Thammarattanaram in the Lanxang Village neighborhood between Broussard and New Iberia.
Video showed a blue sedan strike a golf cart before plowing into pedestrians. A child was seen falling from the front of the vehicle on impact.
Louisiana State Police identified the driver as Todd Landry, 57, of Jeanerette. A breath test showed his blood alcohol content at 0.137% — nearly twice Louisiana's legal limit of 0.08%.
He was booked into Iberia Parish Jail on charges of driving while impaired, 18 counts of first-degree negligent injuring, careless operation, and having an open container in his vehicle.
Acadian Ambulance deployed 10 ambulances and two helicopters. Eleven victims were transported by ground, two were airlifted to Lafayette-area hospitals.
At least four remain in critical condition. Authorities said the crash does not appear to have been intentional.
The Louisiana Lao New Year Festival is a three-day celebration held annually on Easter weekend, drawing thousands from across the South.
The Laotian community has called Iberia Parish home since the end of the Vietnam War era, and the festival has anchored their cultural life for more than 30 years.
Saturday night's music programs and alcohol sales were canceled in the wake of the crash. Organizers planned to reopen Sunday for religious services only.
“We are profoundly saddened by the news of the incident near the festival grounds,” festival organizers said. “We are praying for the victims and for their families during this difficult time.”
