At least 20 people injured after SUV slammed into Wisconsin Christmas parade
Authorities reported Sunday that an SUV plowed into a Christmas parade in the Milwaukee suburb of Waukesha, injuring at least 20 people. Waukesha police, roughly 20 miles west of Milwaukee, advised residents to stay away from the downtown area. Mayor Shawn Reilly of Milwaukee told WITI that he does not believe the public is now in danger.
A red SUV breaks through barriers and speeds into the lane where the procession was taking place, according to videos posted to social media, including a live broadcast of the event hosted by the City of Waukesha.
The SUV speeds into the procession directly behind a school marching band in footage captured by the city from a distance. According to a witness, a red SUV sped down the street, and the crowd could hear the thuds as it collided with people, leaving several on the ground.
The SUV struck Corey Montiho’s daughter’s dance team, according to Corey Montiho, a Waukesha school board member.
“It had pom-poms and shoes, and they poured hot chocolate all over the place.” To find my daughter, I had to go from one crushed body to the next,” he explained. “My wife and two daughters were on the verge of being hit. Please keep everyone in your prayers. “Pray for me.”
“While my family is protected, many others are not. I was holding one little girl’s head in my palm because she was seizing and bleeding from her ears. As her mother passed out, I took her in my arms. “Pray for me.”
Angelito Tenorio, a West Allis alderman running for state treasurer, said he had just finished marching in the parade with his family and friends when he saw the automobile come by.
“We watched an SUV cross across, push the pedal to the metal, and basically go up the parade path at full speed,” Tenorio explained. “Then there was a loud bang, followed by deafening cries and screams from persons hit by the vehicle.” Then we observed people fleeing or stopping to cry, and there were people on the ground who appeared to have been struck by the vehicle.”
Tenorio claimed he noticed around ten persons on the ground, both children and adults, who appeared to have been struck by the vehicle.
“It just all occurred so fast,” he added.
Alderman Don Paul Browne claimed he was marching in the parade’s front row and was almost home when his wife texted to ask if he was okay.
“I’m stunned,” he said. “People come from all over, including Jefferson County, to watch this march. I’m deafeningly deafened It’s quite distressing.”
“My inclination was to attempt to help,” he continued, “but it may be the last thing the cops need.” The best I can do is provide folks with information. Now we have to be concerned about shootings. It makes my heartbreak.”
Waukesha is commemorating its 125th anniversary with events all year. The parade, which takes place downtown, officially kicks off the holiday season in the city and is always one of the most anticipated events of the year.