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May the memory of the life lost be for a blessing. I am so heartbroken by what took place at this celebration. We’re praying for the victims and their loved ones as law enforcement investigates, and I am providing them with whatever assistance I can. My staff, volunteers and I are thankfully safe.
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I am deeply shaken and devastated that a life was lost and others seriously injured at tonight’s Stonewall #Pride Parade. The car narrowly missed a vehicle carrying Democratic congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who was clearly “deeply shaken” but unharmed. The other remains hospitalized with serious injuries but is expected to survive. Two adults were transported to a local hospital where one later died, according to a police spokesman. Wasserman Schultz is seen reacting to the incident. Photos from the scene where a truck drove into a crowd taking part in The Stonewall Pride Parade and Street Festival in Wilton Manors.
#GAY PRIDE PARADE WILTON MANORS 2014 DRIVER#
The pickup truck driver appeared to be part of the march but then suddenly accelerated when he was told he was next in the procession according to WSVN-TV. Tragedy struck the twilight Stonewall Pride march in Wilton Manors, Florida on Saturday leaving one person dead and two others are injured after a truck drove into attendees just before the beginning of the event. Ĭrash that killed 1 at Wilton Manors LGBTQ Pride parade was an accident, police say But the community’s mayor said the early investigation shows it was an accident. bjRKlyZW8CĪ crash at the Wilton Manors Stonewall Pride Parade initially drew speculation that it was a hate crime directed at the gay community. Wilton Manors Mayor Scott Newton says “It was a pure accident” and asks for prayer for families impacted. Luckily they missed that person, but unfortunately, they hit two other people.” It was deliberate, it was premeditated, and it was targeted against a specific person.
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“This is a terrorist attack against the LGBT community,” Trantalis said. Out Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis was present when the incident occurred and told WPLG it had been a deliberate attack.
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Wilton Manors Vice Mayor Paul Rolli told the AP in a phone interview, “The early investigation now indicates it looks like it was a tragic accident, but nobody’s saying finally what it is.” The elderly driver had ailments that prevented him from walking, according to a statement Sunday from Fort Lauderdale Police, who said he was cooperating with the investigation and there was no evidence drugs or alcohol was involved. The 77-year-old driver was taken into custody, but police said no charges have been filed and the investigation is ongoing. The latest news regarding the incident at the Wilton Manors Pride event on Saturday which left one attendee dead and another hospitalized appears to have been unintentional.Ī member of a men’s chorus group unintentionally slammed into fellow chorists at the start of a Pride parade in South Florida, killing one member of the group and seriously injuring another, the group’s director said Sunday, clarifying initial speculation that it was a hate crime directed at the gay community. As he moved the vehicle into position for the start of the parade, the truck accelerated unexpectedly, striking the victims. Please know that I hold my fellow Chorus member, Jim Fahy, in my heart forever and offer my condolences to his friends and family.”įort Lauderdale police are still gathering evidence, but have acknowledged the incident seems to have been an accident.Īpparently, due to health issues Johnson was unable to walk in the parade so he was chosen to drive the white pickup truck. In a statement sent to The Daily Beast, Johnson, 77, who is a member of the Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus-as were the deceased, James “Jim” Fahey, 75, and two injured men, Jerry Vroegh, 67, and Gary Keating, 69-wrote, “This was a horrible accident… I love my Chorus family and the community, and would never do anything to intentionally harm anyone. The man who was behind the wheel of the truck that accidentally killed one Wilton Manors Pride parade participant over the weekend and injured two others has issued a statement and apology.įred Johnson Jr., who has been named by police as the driver of the vehicle that veered out of control killing one person and injuring two others at Saturday’s Stonewall Pride Parade in Wilton Manors, FL, has offered his “sincere regrets to all those who were impacted by this tragic event.”