In the confusion, it was unclear what happened. Rolli was on the other side of the float and didn’t witness the crash, but jumped off immediately and ran to the victims.
The driver continued across all lanes of traffic, ultimately crashing into a fence on the other side of the street, police said. Trantalis said the driver of a pickup truck suddenly accelerated when he was told he was next in the parade, crashing into the victims. Rolli was on the float in front of the chorus truck along with Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis and other city officials at a staging area where the floats were being readied. To my knowledge, this was not an attack on the LGBTQ community,” President Justin Knight said in a statement Sunday, calling it “an unfortunate accident.” “Our fellow Chorus members were those injured and the driver is also a part of the Chorus family. The driver and the victims were a part of the Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus family, a small 25-member group of mostly older men. “The early investigation now indicates it looks like it was a tragic accident, but nobody’s saying finally what it is,” Rolli told The Associated Press in a phone interview. The temperature on parade day could be in excess of 85 degrees.Įntries are encouraged to bring plenty of water and replenishing fluids for participants.The elderly driver had ailments that prevented him from walking, according to a statement Sunday from Fort Lauderdale Police, who said he was cooperating with the investigation and there was no evidence drugs or alcohol was involved. The theme of the Pride Festival is encouraged to be reflected in your entry.Īll floats and cars are required by Fire Marshall to have a Fire Extinguisher in any motorized vehicle.Īll Parade participants should be aware of the possibility of heat exhaustion and/or stroke.
They must wear yellow safety vests (available at bead stores) and may not otherwise participate (no bead throwing as they are monitoring your float space full time). No confetti guns will be permitted.įor safety reasons we require each float have four (4) people walking one for each corner – these people can help keep the crowd from running up to float for candy/trinkets and can help direct float around corners. In order to limit clean-up costs each entry is required to be equipped with plastic trash bags for depositing trash and litter accumulated by the entry’s participants before, during and after the Parade.
It is our goal to spread these floats and walking groups throughout the parade to decrease the instances of competing sound as much as possible.
Tampa Pride prohibits the display of logos, slogans or trademarks of any business other than the business listed on your application.Īny float or walking group using amplified music or sound equipment must support their own equipment. All floats must be decorated prior to arrival at the staging area.