Man killed after pick-up truck slams into spectators at Pride parade in Florida

A MAN was been killed and another seriously injured after being struck by a pick-up truck at a Pride parade in Florida.

Police said they were keeping an open mind on the motive behind the incident, but some witnesses said the crash appeared intentional.

It happened during the Wilton Manors Stonewall Pride Parade in the city north of Fort Lauderdale on Saturday night.

The driver and the victims were a part of the Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus family, according to a statement from Justin Knight, the group’s president.

He said: “To my knowledge it was an accident. This was not an attack on the LGBTQ community.

“We anticipate more details to follow and ask for the community’s love and support.”

Fort Lauderdale Mayor, Dean Trantalis, said a driver of a pick-up truck suddenly accelerated when he was told he was next in the parade, crashing into the victims, according to WSVN-TV.

In the immediate aftermath of the crash, Mr Trantalis said he believed the crash was “deliberate”.

Police said the driver was taken into custody, but it was unclear whether he had been charged.

Photos and video from the scene showed Democratic US Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz in tears sitting in a convertible at the parade.

Mrs Wasserman Schultz said she was safe but “deeply shaken and devastated that a life was lost”.

She added: “May the memory of the life lost be for a blessing.”

Spectator Christina Currie said she was with her family at the start of the parade. “All of a sudden there was a loud revving of a truck and a crash through a fence,” she said. “It was definitely an intentional act right across the lanes of traffic.”

Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony said: “Though authorities are still gathering information, we know two individuals marching to celebrate inclusion and equality were struck by a vehicle.

“This tragedy took place within feet of me and my [Broward Sheriff’s Office] team, and we are devastated having witnessed this incident.”

June is Pride Month, marking the June 1969 police raid targeting gay patrons at the Stonewall Inn in New York that led to an uprising of LGBTQ Americans and served as a catalyst for the gay rights movement.