**Tragedy Strikes: New Year's Chaos in New Orleans as Pickup Truck Plows into Celebrators**

In the early hours of January 1, 2025, Bourbon Street was a hub of celebration, but chaos erupted when a pickup truck invaded the revelry. Witness accounts reveal shocking details of a night that quickly spiraled into tragedy, casting a shadow over the festivities.

Witnesses described a scene of utter chaos early on New Year's Day as a white pickup truck careened into a crowd on Bourbon Street, New Orleans, leading to 10 fatalities and numerous injuries. Whit Davis, present in a nearby bar, recounted the panic as he and his friends ducked for cover amidst utter mayhem. "People were running, hiding under tables as if it were an active shooter situation," he told the BBC. Meanwhile, Jim and Nicole Mowrer, who witnessed the truck speed through a barrier, sought refuge in an alcove as gunfire erupted, indicating the dire situation unfolding.

A nearby hotel worker reported chaotic scenes outside, describing the view of bodies strewn across the street post-collision. Hurrying downstairs, he offered assistance to those in need, contending with the shocking aftermath of the incident. The truck collided with other structures before the driver opened fire on police, wounding two officers who are now reported stable.

According to police, the driver—later confirmed dead—had intentions that seemed driven by malice; New Orleans Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick expressed that he was "hell-bent on creating the carnage." The FBI has since classified the incident as an "act of terrorism," escalating its investigation after discovering an improvised explosive device at the scene, which is still being assessed for viability.

Images and reports from the aftermath show a stunned and deserted Bourbon Street, left to grapple with the horrors that unfolded in what was meant to be a festive celebration.