Tragedy in Wisconsin: a car rammed into the Christmas parade, there are dead and wounded

A man drove into a crowd of people in his SUV during the Christmas parade in Waukesha, killing five people and injuring more than 40, reports Journal Sentinel.

Photo: Shutterstock

The holiday turned into a scene of bloody and deadly chaos late on November 21, authorities said when a car crashed into a Christmas parade in Waukesha, killing five people and injuring more than 40.

Just before midnight, the City of Waukesha posted revised loss figures on Twitter and Facebook.

“At this time, we can confirm that 5 people have died and more than 40 have been injured,” the statement said. “However, these numbers may change as more information is collected.”

The authorities previously said that 11 adults and 12 children had been taken to local hospitals.

The rest were taken away by friends and family.

The Wisconsin Children's Hospital admitted 15 patients and no fatalities.

Waukesha Mayor Sean Reilly called the incident "a terrible and senseless act."

Waukesha Police Chief Dan Thompson said at about 16:39 pm the red SUV broke through the front barriers and headed west on Main Street.

“The car hit more than 20 people. Some of them were children and several people died as a result of this incident,” he said.

According to the police chief, the suspect car has been found and its driver is in custody.

His identity and motives are not disclosed.

According to the chief of police, people were taken to hospitals in ambulances and police.

Thompson said that during the incident, “the officer fired his gun at the suspect vehicle to try and stop it. No outsiders were harmed as a result. "

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The incident took place during one of the city's largest and most beloved annual events.
A cheerful crowd lined up on both sides of the road, people huddled together to keep warm.

One of the videos showed a red SUV driving along the parade route, turning left behind the Waukesha South High School Black Shirt Band.

Corey Montijo, board member of the Waukesha School District, was at the Mainstream Bar & Grill when he heard that his daughter's youth dance team had been attacked.

“There were pom-poms and shoes and spilled hot chocolate everywhere,” he said. -I had to move from one crippled body to another to find my daughter. My wife and two daughters were hardly affected. Please pray for everyone. Please pray. My family is safe, but many are not. I held the head of one little girl. She grabbed my hand and her ears were bleeding. I held her mother when she fainted. Please pray."

In a Facebook post, the Waukesha Xtreme Dance team thanked those who helped in the dire chaos of the team members and their families.

Videos and social media eyewitnesses show the "Dancing Milwaukee Grannies" being hit by a car.
The age of the participants ranges from 50 to 70 years. The only requirement is that participants be grandmothers themselves, the website says.

“Members and volunteers were injured and we are awaiting word on their condition,” a Facebook post from the Milwaukee Dancing Grannies said. “Please keep the grandmothers, all those injured and everyone who witnessed this terrible event in your thoughts and prayers.”

The Waukesha Catholic community has confirmed on Facebook that several members have been injured and hospitalized.

The Archdiocese of Milwaukee stated that one of the injured was a Catholic priest, "and there are several parishioners and schoolchildren of the Waukesha Catholic School among the injured."

Angelito Tenorio, a West Ellis City Councilor, said he had just finished a march with family and friends and was heading back towards Main Street.

“As we were returning between the buildings, we saw an SUV rush past, driving at full speed in the direction of the parade. And then we heard a loud bang and just deafening screams of people,” Tenorio said. “And then we saw people running away or standing there crying, and there were people lying on the ground who looked like they had been hit by a car.”

He added, "It just happened so quickly."

Videos posted on social media, including a live broadcast of the parade organized by the City of Waukesha, show a red SUV breaking through barriers and accelerating towards the roadway where the parade was taking place.

In city footage, captured from afar, an SUV rushes into the parade just behind the school marching band.

A West Main Street reporter said a red SUV was racing down the street and the crowd heard thumping thuds, leaving many on the ground.

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Some people got up and ran to the nearest shops. Many were screaming and crying.

The police then ran down the street, telling people to go into shops and leave the street.

Shortly before the incident, the reporter saw several dance groups along the parade route, with spectators in two rows on either side of the road.

Ashley Coronado, a 12-year-old student at Waukesha STEM Academy, was in the parade with her mother.

“We were excited to see a truck with fire and hot air,” she said. “At that moment, a red car drove past me and my cousins. He was driving very fast and hit a gentleman. At first I thought he was part of the parade. And then I thought that this was all real. We all screamed. We were less than a meter away from him.”

Kimberly Coronado, the girl's mother, said: “We grabbed our children, got into the cars and drove away. This was really scary".

Police closed several streets in downtown Waukesha.

Several different law enforcement agencies were at the scene, and ambulances were seen leaving the area until approximately 18:00 pm.

The parade participants still roamed the city.

City official Don Paul Brown said he was walking in front of the parade and was almost home when his wife asked if he was okay.

“I’m shocked,” he said. “This parade brings people from all over, even Jefferson County.” I was numb. It's very frustrating."

He added: “I wanted to try and help, but this may be the last thing the police will need. The best thing I can do is be a resource for people... It breaks my heart.”

Rep. Sarah Rodriguez, representing Waukesha units, took part in the parade with Waukesha County Democrats. Rodriguez said her group ended the march on the evening of November 21 when the SUV drove through the crowd.

“I was not a direct witness to the car passing - we finished the parade route - he appeared after we finished,” she said. -People were running, screaming and getting out of the way. … My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the injured.”

Governor Tony Evers issued a statement saying, "Tonight, Katie and I pray for Waukesha and all the children, families and community members affected by this senseless act, and we are reaching out to local colleagues for more information."

Waukesha celebrates its 125th anniversary all year long.

The parade is always one of the biggest events of the year in the city. The parade marks the official start of the holiday season in downtown Waukesha.

The Waukesha School District announced that classes will be closed on Monday and "counselors will be available in all buildings throughout the school day for all students who may need support."

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