New Orleans – and particularly the French Quarter, the city’s vibrant historic center where Bourbon Street is located – was still in the midst of New Year’s celebrations when the vehicle ran into a crowd early Wednesday.

According to the city’s official website, crowds had gathered to attend an outdoor concert and the New Year countdown, with restaurants offering specials and performances. LGBTQ parties with dancing and drag cabaret were held elsewhere on Bourbon Street, the heart of the city’s gay scene – just blocks from the site of the incident.

Much of the celebration was aimed at college football fans coming to town for the Allstate Sugar Bowl, scheduled to take place on Wednesday – including a parade that had taken place on Tuesday.

On Monday, the New Orleans Police Department said it would be “100 percent staffed” during the festivities, adding that there were 300 additional officers supported by partner law enforcement agencies.

They would also work with local, state and federal partners to ensure citywide security coverage, the police statement said, adding that they have “a heavy presence of marked and unmarked police vehicles, as well as officers on foot, bicycle and on horseback”. ”