A 72-year-old man was arrested after his Ford F-150 pickup truck plowed into spectators at the Bakersfield Christmas Parade in California, causing injuries.
The incident occurred just as the annual event was about to commence. Local ABC News reported, "Investigators said alcohol intoxication played a role in the collision. This crash remains under investigation." The driver was promptly taken into custody following the incident.
The Bakersfield Police Department confirmed that emergency services were dispatched to the parade site around 5:30 pm, following reports of multiple individuals being hit by a truck at the intersection of 21st and H streets. In a public statement, the police urged the public to steer clear of the area, stating, "BPD is conducting an investigation at H St and 21st St which is affecting the original parade route. The Parade Marshall is working to see if rerouting the parade is an option. There is no threat to public safety."
A video uploaded to social media from the scene captured the aftermath of the incident. The woman recording the video narrated, Sad situation happened tonight right before the Christmas parade was about to start. Three people were injured and were transported to the hospital. The footage then showed the truck on the sidewalk, with the woman adding, This truck right here that you see was coming through this alleyway and had struck the pedestrians that were sitting waiting for the parade
She further relayed, We're hearing from multiple people that the driver of this pickup truck was possibly intoxicated and kind of disoriented and belligerent. We were hearing that he was trying to fight officers as they were trying to detain him, he was trying to flee the scene."
KGET Bakersfield reported that three individuals were injured in the incident, and the driver was subsequently arrested. Despite the unfortunate turn of events, parade organizers confirmed that the event, initially scheduled to start at 7 pm local time, would proceed but with a rerouted path. This incident is still under investigation and further updates will follow as the story develops.
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