One Dead After Truck Hit Marchers In Florida Gay Pride Parade

Pedestrians were hit by a truck at the beginning of a Gay Pride Parade in Florida. The injured men and the driver are members of the Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus, which walked at the beginning of the Stonewall Pride Parade.

After the incident, two men were sent to Broward Health Medical Center, where one man died as a result of his injuries. Police have taken someone into custody, but have not revealed whether the person is suspected of a crime or not. Fort Lauderdale Police Department detective Ali Adamson addressed the incident in a press conference on Saturday. As to the question of a suspect, Adamson said, “We are speaking with the driver involved.”

Chris Caputo, the city commissioner, tweeted, “It seems increasingly probable it was an accident. Still filled w[ith] sadness.”

https://twitter.com/chris_caputo/status/1406397016255696905

Justin Knight, the president of the Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus, also made a statement after the incident. “Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the tragic accident that occurred when the Stonewall Pride Parade was just getting started,” he said. “Our fellow Chorus members were those injured and the driver is also a part of the Chorus family. To my knowledge, this was not an attack on the LGBTQ community.”

Knight also said that about half of the long-established gay men’s chorus was present and planning on walking in the parade. Their artistic director was taken to the hospital along with the two men but was released soon after.

Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony stated that he and his officers witnessed the car accident. “We are devastated having witnessed this horrific incident,” he said. “I’m proud of all the BSO and local first responders who leaped into action, running into the unknown and instantly provided care for the victims.”