Parade driver loses control of truck, kills parade dancer

Many cities in North Carolina and elsewhere hold parades to celebrate the arrival of the Christmas season. Raleigh is no exception, except for the tragic accident that marred the city’s parade this year. A young girl was killed, and a 20-year-old male is now facing serious criminal charges.

The incident

The parade began at 9:40 a.m. as scheduled. At about 10:14 a.m., the driver of a truck that was towing a float with numerous participants allegedly lost control of the truck. Witnesses said that the vehicle struck one of the dancers, who died at the scene despite receiving extensive emergency medical care. Media reports do not describe how the driver lost control of a vehicle that was moving at a slow speed. The victim was participating in the parade with a dance troupe from CC & Company Dance Complex, a dance school located in Raleigh.

The details of the accident were not made public. No other injuries were reported. Police immediately stopped the parade and canceled its continuation.

Criminal charges

The driver of the truck has been arrested and is now facing several serious criminal charges: misdemeanor death by motor vehicle, unsafe movement of a motor vehicle, and carrying a firearm in a parade. Anyone accused of a crime has the right to a trial and a vigorous defense with the advice of counsel. An experienced criminal defense attorney can frequently dig through a significant volume of evidence and find facts that may lead to an acquittal, significantly reduced charges or a satisfactory plea agreement.