A man was killed and another was injured when the driver of a truck inadvertently dragged people who had gathered in Florida for a Gay Pride, the parade for the rights of the LOATKI community, in a “tragic accident”, the American authorities announced on Sunday.
The incident happened on Saturday at the start of the parade in the city of Wilton Manors in Florida, near Fort Lauderdale, and initially questions arose as to whether it was appropriate.
“Today (Sunday) we know that yesterday’s incident was a tragic accident and not a criminal act directed against any individual or any group of individuals,” Wilton Manors police said.
For their part, Fort Lauderdale police said the 77-year-old driver had taken part in the festivities and had been chosen to drive the van ahead because he was suffering from “diseases that prevented him from walking” during the parade.
The white van had started before the start of the parade and “suddenly accelerated, hitting two pedestrians” before finishing its course by falling on a fence of a neighboring business, according to the Fort Lauderdale police statement.
The driver, who was arrested and is being held, is cooperating with the authorities, police added.
The two men who were beaten were taken to a medical center and one of them succumbed, according to the same source.
