New Orleans Tragedy: Car Crashes into French Quarter Crowd

In a horrifying New Year’s Day incident, a vehicle rammed into a crowd in New Orleans’ iconic French Quarter, leaving at least 10 people dead and 30 injured. The tragic event occurred near Canal and Bourbon Street, a popular tourist hotspot renowned for its vibrant nightlife and culture.

The city’s disaster preparedness agency, Nola Ready, labeled the event a “mass casualty incident.” Reports from witnesses and media outlets, including CBS News and CNN, indicate that the driver of the vehicle may have also fired a weapon, prompting police to return fire.

Eyewitness Accounts Paint a Grim Picture

Eyewitness Kevin Garcia described the scene as chaotic, saying, “All I saw was a truck slamming into everyone on the left side of the Bourbon sidewalk. A body came flying at me.” Kevin also confirmed hearing gunshots during the incident. CBS News reporter Kati Weis reported seeing multiple injured individuals on the ground.

Governor and Authorities Respond

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry took to social media, condemning the event as “a horrific act of violence.” He urged the public to avoid the area as investigations continue.

Impact on New Orleans Festivities

The tragedy comes as New Orleans prepared to host the Sugar Bowl, a major college football event between the University of Georgia and the University of Notre Dame. The city had just held a parade ahead of the game and announced heightened police presence to ensure safety during the celebrations.

This heartbreaking event has left New Orleans and its residents in mourning as authorities work to uncover the full details of this devastating attack.