A driver sped down Bourbon Street early on New Year’s Day, killing 10 people and injuring around 35 others, who were rushed to local hospitals.
A New Orleans man is sharing the chilling details of what he witnessed on Bourbon Street during the early hours of New Year’s Day, after a tragic and shocking incident unfolded in the city’s famous French Quarter.
The chaos began when the driver of a pickup truck sped down Bourbon Street, plowing through crowds and leaving devastation in his path. Ten people were killed and around 35 others injured before police exchanged gunfire with the driver, resulting in his death.
Jimmy Cothran, who lives in New Orleans, was at a nightclub nearby when everything happened. Speaking to NBC News, he described the terrifying moments that followed. Cothran recalled that he and his friends first noticed “a lot of commotion” down the street. Curious, they ducked into the club and made their way up to the balcony to get a clearer view.
“What we saw wasn’t what we expected at all,” he said. “Right there in front of us was someone’s mother, twisted and clearly gone. In just a few seconds, we counted eight bodies.”
Cothran painted a grim picture of the scene, describing several victims as “graphically deceased.” One man, he recalled, had tire tracks running across his back and stomach. “He was clearly crushed,” Cothran added.
He also remembered a little girl he had seen earlier that night, dancing joyfully on the street. “By the time we looked down, she was as flat as a pillow,” he said. “It just went on and on.”
Cothran described feeling trapped inside the club as they waited for more information. “We were stuck there with those images in our heads for over an hour and a half. No one told us anything,” he said.
One of the most unsettling things for Cothran was the lack of proper barricades that night. Typically, Bourbon Street is lined with sturdy barriers to protect pedestrians during large events. However, Cothran said that wasn’t the case.
“My friend and I were surprised when we got there. Usually, you can walk safely down the middle of Bourbon Street because of the barricades,” he explained. “But this time, there were none. They only had those flimsy orange and white triangle barricades.”
The terrifying incident unfolded at 3:15 a.m. on January 1, according to police. The FBI has since confirmed the driver’s death and is investigating the situation as a “potential act of terrorism.”
New Orleans Police Superintendent Chief Anne Kirkpatrick addressed the media, emphasizing the seriousness of the event. “This wasn’t a drunk driving situation. This man was deliberately trying to run over as many people as possible,” Kirkpatrick said.
She described the driver’s mindset as “intentional,” adding, “He went around our barricades to make this happen. He was determined to cause as much damage and loss as he could.”
The suspect’s identity has not yet been released, but police are expected to provide further updates in a press conference at 11 a.m. local time.
