One dead after truck runs over two people at Florida pride parade

A man has tragically died and another is fighting for his life after a truck suddenly accelerated into a crowd of people at a Florida pride parade.

Per New York Post, the unnamed driver of a white pickup truck has been taken into custody following the deadly collision at the Stonewall Pride Parade in Wilton Manors.

The man's vehicle was lined up with the rest of the floats at the start of the parade when it suddenly slammed into the two victims.

The two men were then rushed to Broward Health Medical Center, however, one of them was soon pronounced dead.

A series of videos and images have been shared online featuring the aftermath of the incident, in which Democratic congresswoman Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz - who was at the parade - is seen looking very distressed after the truck narrowly missed her vehicle.

Videos footage also showed the driver being taken into custody by Florida police.

It is still unknown whether there was any motive behind the incident - which occurred on Saturday at around 7 PM - or whether it was merely a tragic accident.

The mayor of Fort Lauderdale, Dean Trantalis, who was also at the parade, said he believed the driver intentionally tried to crash into Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

Speaking to WPLG, he referred to it as a "terrorist attack against the LGBT community."

He added: "This is exactly what it is. Hardly an accident. It was deliberate, it was premeditated, and it was targeted against a specific person. Luckily they missed that person, but unfortunately, they hit two other people."

Trantalis also alleged that the driver had attempted to flee the scene.

However, both the driver and victims are members of the Fort Lauderdale Gay Men's Chorus, according to the president of the organization, Justin Knight.

Per the outlet, he said in a statement: "Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the tragic accident that occurred when the Stonewall Pride Parade was just getting started. Our fellow Chorus members were those injured and the driver was also a part of the Chorus family."

He added: "To my knowledge, this was not an attack on the LGBTQ community. We anticipate more details to follow and ask for the community’s love and support."

Per The Sun, the driver told police that the crash was entirely accidental and that his foot had become stuck between the gas pedal and the brake, which caused him to lose control of the truck.

An investigation into the tragedy is underway.

Featured image credit: Pixabay / Pexels