The 77-year-old driver who accidentally slammed his truck into fellow members of a gay chorus group, killing one and injuring two others at a Pride parade, said Monday he would hold the deceased “in my heart forever.”įred Johnson, a local minister and member of the Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus, a tight knit ensemble of about 25 mostly older men, was at the wheel of a pickup when his group was signaled as next to join the parade.
Wilton Manors police tweeted Saturday night that the parade was canceled due to a “tragic event.” (Chris Day/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP)įORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. A driver has slammed into spectators at the start of a Pride parade in South Florida, injuring at least two people. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., is comforted after a truck drove into a crowd of people during The Stonewall Pride Parade and Street Festival in Wilton Manors, Fla., Saturday, June 19, 2021. Be sure to hug the ones you love tonight."įort Lauderdale Police have been contacted for an update.Rep. Our prayers are with the victims and their families. I'm proud of all the BSO and local first responders who leaped into action, running into the unknown and instantly provided care for the victims. "This tragedy took place within feet of me and my BSO team, and we are devastated having witnessed this horrific incident. One person has died and the other remains hospitalized. "Though authorities are still gathering information, we know two individuals marching to celebrate inclusion and equality were struck by a vehicle.
"We are sending prayers to everyone in Wilton Manors and the lgbtq+ community all across the state," the party added.īroward County Sheriff Gregory Tony said: "What started as a celebration quickly turned to tragedy at today's Stonewall Pride Parade. In a statement, the Florida Democratic Party described the incident as "horrific." Intensely grateful for police who sprung to action before us to save lives. "Mourning life taken & praying for injured & families of both.