Drunk Driver Causes Mardi Gras Crash, Injuring 28

NEW ORLEANS (AP) —
A wrecked car at the scene where a pickup truck plowed into a crowd at a Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans on Saturday night. (Chris Granger/NOLA.com The Times-Picayune via AP)

A drunk man plowed into a crowd at a Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans on Saturday night, one of the busiest nights of Mardi Gras, injuring 28.

The New Orleans Police Department issued a statement Sunday identifying the man as 25-year-old Neilson Rizzuto. Online jail records showed Rizzuto was arrested on a number of charges and was being held at the city’s jail. Police say a breath alcohol test determined that Rizzuto’s alcohol level was three times the legal limit after the he was arrested.

Of the 28 people hurt, 21 were hospitalized, and three had moderate to serious injuries. There were no fatalities.

Neilson Rizutto is seen in an undated photo provided by the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office.(Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office via AP)

Seven others declined to be hospitalized, said Dr. Jeff Elder, city emergency services director.

The victims range in age from as young as three or four to adults in their 30s and 40s, Dr. Elder said.

Among the injured was one New Orleans police officer.

One woman at the scene told The New Orleans Advocate that a silver truck whisked closely by her as she was walking through the intersection.

Carrie Kinsella said, “I felt a rush it was so fast.”

Kourtney McKinnis, 20, told the Advocate that the driver of the truck seemed almost unaware of what he had just done.

“He was just kind of out of it,” she said.

To Read The Full Story

Are you already a subscriber?
Click to log in!