Louisiana man charged after hitting Lao New Year crowd

Authorities say the driver was impaired when he struck festival-goers in Jeanerette.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 7:34am

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A 57-year-old man from Jeanerette, Louisiana, has been arrested and charged with impaired driving after driving his vehicle into a crowd at a Lao New Year festival on Saturday, April 4. At least 15 people were injured in the incident, some with serious injuries.

Why it matters

The Lao New Year celebration is a major cultural event in the Jeanerette community, and this incident has shaken the local Lao-American population. Impaired driving crashes are a persistent public safety issue, and this event highlights the need for continued education and enforcement efforts.

The details

According to police, the driver, whose name has not been released, was intoxicated when he plowed into the crowd of festival-goers around 8 p.m. on Saturday. Witnesses reported the driver appeared to lose control of the vehicle before striking multiple people. Emergency responders transported at least 15 individuals to local hospitals, some with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

  • The incident occurred around 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
  • The Lao New Year festival was taking place at the time of the crash.

The players

Jeanerette, Louisiana

A city in southern Louisiana with a significant Lao-American population that hosts an annual Lao New Year celebration.

Lao New Year festival

An annual cultural celebration in Jeanerette honoring the Lao New Year, which is a major event for the local Lao-American community.

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What they’re saying

“This is a tragic incident that has shaken our community. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families as they recover.”

— Mayor Elise Landry, Mayor of Jeanerette

What’s next

Police are continuing their investigation into the incident and the driver's impairment. The district attorney's office will determine what charges the driver will face.

The takeaway

This crash underscores the need for vigilance against impaired driving, especially during community events. Local leaders and law enforcement must work to promote safe driving and ensure the safety of all festival-goers.