COTEAU — An intoxicated driver injured 18 people Saturday when he drove through a Mardi Gras-style Laotian New Year's festival in Coteau, Louisiana State Police said.

Thousands of revelers, some on foot, some on makeshift floats and some on golf carts, snaked through a Laotian community between Broussard and New Iberia in southwestern Louisiana, headed to a festival at Wat Thammarattanaram.

Video showed a blue sedan striking a golf cart near the corner of Savannakhet Street and Melancon Road, less than a half-mile from the Louisiana Lao New Year Celebration. A child was seen falling from the front of the vehicle as it crashed into pedestrians.

Other videos showed several people sitting on the side of the road bleeding as emergency responders attempted to rescue a person stuck underneath the vehicle.

The incident occurred around 2:36 p.m. Emergency officials responded with 10 ambulances and two helicopters, according to Acadian Ambulance. 

The Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office said that while the driver is in custody, the incident "does not appear to be an intentional act." 

Louisiana State Police identified the driver as Todd Landry, 57, of Jeanerette. Officials said Landry showed signs of impairment and ultimately submitted a breath sample indicating a BAC of 0.137g%.

Landry was booked for 18 counts of first-degree negligent injuring, driving while impaired, careless operation and having an open container of alcohol in his vehicle.

The annual Mardi Gras style parade, part of a larger festival celebration, draws thousands on Easter weekend, with attendees traveling from across the South. The New Year Celebration has been celebrated for over 30 years, as the Lao people have lived in Iberia Parish since the end of the Vietnam War. 

(Image credit to Bubblez Laila on Facebook.)

The festival canceled Saturday night's music program but said vendors would remain open until 9 p.m.

"As of now, and if security resources are restored for tomorrow (Sunday) we will reopen only the religious services of the festival, and vendors will stay open," the festival said.