STILLWATER, Okla., Oct. 24 (UPI) — At least three people were killed and 34 injured when a car plowed into through a crowd during Oklahoma State University’s homecoming parade, police said.
The 25-year-old driver of the car was arrested and charged with driving under the influence after careening into the crowd along the parade route at 11:30 a.m. EDT.
“At first we thought it was part of the show,” Konda Walker, who was attending the homecoming celebration, told the Stillwater News Press. “People were flying 30 feet into the air like rag dolls.”
The driver, Adacia Chambers, drove her 2014 Hyundai Elantra into an unmanned police motorcycle and then into the crowd at the termination point of the parade, according to a report from the city.
Police reported three people died, while eight critically wounded and nine seriously injured were taken to the hospital and 17 walking wounded later arrived at Stillwater Medical Center.
Stillwater Police Captain Kyle Gibbs told NBC News the count of injured may go up because some members of the crowd were treated at the parade scene because of emergency personnel participation in the event. Gibbs said he did not know if Chambers drove into the crowd intentionally or if she lost control of her car, however the investigation was being treated as a homicide.
The OSU Alumni Association expected about 80,000 people for the parade, though an official count has not been released. University officials said the homecoming football game, against the University of Kansas, would continue as planned.
