(DailyDig.com) – A Christmas parade in Bakersfield, California was disrupted when a driver ran a number of people down in his Ford F-150 pickup truck. Police responded to calls from a number of people around 5:30pm, moments before the parade was scheduled to begin. The Bakersfield Police Department used their social media accounts to ask people to stay away from the scene.
While the police investigated and arrested the driver, the parade’s grand marshal tried to figure out an alternate route. Witnesses describe the driver as combative with authorities and said that he tried to engage officers in physical altercations. Thankfully, the injuries were non-fatal with only one person being taken to the hospital by ambulance. Details about the crash, including a potential motive, are not yet known as authorities continue to investigate. The grand marshal was able to work out a new route and the parade did take place.
Police believe the suspect was inebriated at the time of the incident. Police Chief Greg Terry remarked that it “seems” every time the holiday season comes around they are dealing with “some horrendous [and] preventable” substance-related “tragedy.”
This incident recalls the 2021 incident when a man named Darrell Brooks Jr. drove his SUV at a high rate of speed through a Christmas parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin, killing six and injuring another 48. Brooks claimed he was innocent due to his mental illness and was unaware of what he was doing when he drove through the parade.
Brooks’ defense proved ineffective and he was found guilty of 76 total charges including six homicide counts. The judge in his case sentenced him to six consecutive life sentences as well as ordering Brooks to pay $171,400 in restitution. After consulting with the district attorney for this case the judge increased the restitution that Brooks must pay to $476,200.
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