Car Plows Into Festival Crowd; 1 Killed, 30 Hurt

A car driven by the mother of the parish sheriff went out of control Sunday and plowed through a crowd walking to the annual Strawberry Festival, killing one person and injuring as many as 30 others, authorities said.

The victim was identified as Michael Mayers, 45, of New Orleans. Three people, including a 17-month-old child, were critically injured, authorities said.

“It sounded like fireworks,” said Kim Zabbia, who was in her front yard when the accident occurred. “People were yelling, telling people to get out of the way. The last person she hit was a lady, and she carried her on the hood of her car most of the block.”

Residents grabbed blankets and ice packs and turned driveways and carports into first-aid stations, while ambulances raced through jammed streets, police said.

The driver of the car was identified by police as Inez Layrisson, about 80, mother of Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Ed Layrisson. She suffered cuts and bruises.

Police said Layrisson either had a heart attack or a stroke while at the wheel. No charges have been filed, police said.