A 25-year-old man accused of ploughing a pickup truck into a crowd of spectators at a Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans was arrested and charged with injuring 28 people in a crash that brought chaos to the city's signature celebration, authorities said today.
New Orleans police booked Neilson Rizzuto after taking him into custody in "a highly intoxicated state" immediately after the accident last night, the department said.
Mr Rizzuto was charged with two charges of vehicular negligence, injuring in the first degree, hit and run driving and the reckless operation of a motor vehicle, according to a statement.
No further information about Mr Rizzuto was immediately available.
The truck driven by Mr Rizzuto was travelling along the side of the street open to traffic along the parade route when it struck three other vehicles, including a rubbish truck. It then veered onto the median where a crowd of people stood watching the procession, police said.
Five people were being treated at hospital and an investigation is ongoing, police said.
In a statement, Mayor Mitch Landrieu referred to the suspect as a "drunk driver".
In a statement, Mayor Mitch Landrieu referred to the suspect as a "drunk driver".
