Driver Crashes Into Pride Parade In South Florida, Mayor Says One Dead
WILTON MANORS, Fla. (AP) — A driver slammed into spectators Saturday evening at the start of a Pride parade in South Florida, and an official says one person was killed and another seriously injured.
The pickup driver acted like he was part of the Wilton Manors Stonewall Pride Parade but then suddenly accelerated when he was told he was next, crashing into the victims, Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis said, according to WSVN-TV. Wilton Manors is just north of Fort Lauderdale.
One of the victims later succumbed to their injuries, Trantalis said.
News outlets reported that the driver of the pickup truck was taken into custody. Authorities did not immediately give details about the victims or say whether they believe the crash was intentional.
“This is a terrorist attack against the LGBT community,” Trantalis told reporters. “This is exactly what it is. Hardly an accident.”
Mayor of Fort Lauderdale, where truck ran into crowd at Pride parade: “This was a terrorist attack against the LGBTQ community. He came here to destroy people. This was clearly no accident.” https://t.co/95mxmE8Siy
— South Florida Sun Sentinel (@SunSentinel) June 20, 2021
Photos and video from the scene showed Democratic U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz in tears while in a convertible at the parade. A spokesperson for Wasserman Schultz did not immediately return an email seeking comment.
Photos from the scene where a truck drove into a crowd taking part in The Stonewall Pride Parade and Street Festival in Wilton Manors. Rep. Wasserman Schultz is seen reacting to the incident. @SunSentinelpic.twitter.com/UAIaa7yRTe
— Chris Day (@cjday1900) June 19, 2021
Spectator Christina Currie told the South Florida SunSentinel that she was with her family at the start of the parade.
“All of a sudden there was a loud revving of a truck and a crash through a fence,” Currie said. “It was definitely an intentional act right across the lanes of traffic.”
Wilton Manors police tweeted Saturday night that the public is not in danger.
“A tragic incident occurred at today’s Stonewall event,” Wilton Manors Mayor Scott Newton said in a statement, according to WPLG-TV. “Out of respect for everyone involved, the parade has been canceled and a thorough investigation is being conducted.”
June is Pride Month, commemorating the June 1969 police raid targeting gay patrons at the Stonewall Inn in New York that led to an uprising of LGBTQ Americans and served as a catalyst for the gay rights movement.
Due to a tragic event, the Stonewall Pride Parade has been cancelled but the festival events will continue.
*THERE IS NO DANGER TO THE PUBLIC.* https://t.co/als3T0MG4m— wmpd411 (@WMPD411) June 20, 2021
BREAKING: I just spoke with Fort Lauderdale mayor who tells me one of the people run over in Wilton Manors right before Pride parade started has died. Says another victim is clinging to life. He witnessed the whole thing and says it was a deliberate attack on the LGBTQ community. pic.twitter.com/xW8H20bkfT
— Gina Benitez (@GinaMBenitez) June 20, 2021
BREAKING: At least 2 people have been hit by a truck at the beginning of the @WiltonManorsCty#Pride parade. @delarosaWPLG was only yards away at the time. He spoke with @DeanTrantalis. @WPLGLocal10pic.twitter.com/CRRmGz0a12
— Ian Margol (@IanMargolWPLG) June 19, 2021
This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.