Multiple killed as SUV driver plows into huge crowd gathered for street festival as cops release horrifying details

A peaceful night of music, food, and celebration in Vancouver turned into unimaginable horror on Saturday evening when an SUV plowed into a packed street festival, killing several people.

Many more people were injured in what authorities described as a devastating and chaotic scene. 

According to the Vancouver Police Department, the deadly incident unfolded shortly after 8pm at E. 41st Avenue and Fraser Street, where hundreds had gathered for the community event. 

Festival goers were celebrating Lapu Lapu Day, a public holiday honoring Filipino heritage when without warning, a driver sped directly into the crowd in what witnesses described as a scene of carnage.

‘A number of people have been killed and multiple others are injured after a driver drove into a crowd at a street festival at E. 41st Avenue and Fraser shortly after 8 p.m. tonight,’ Vancouver Police confirmed in an initial statement posted to X.

 ‘The driver is in custody. We will provide more information as the investigation unfolds.’

The Vancouver Police Department has not yet released an official death toll, referring only to ‘a number of people’ confirmed dead. 

Multiple others were transported to local hospitals, their conditions unknown as of late Saturday night.

Authorities confirmed that the driver of the vehicle was taken into custody at the scene, though the identity of the suspect has not yet been released. 

Police have not said whether the incident was intentional or the result of reckless driving, but an active investigation is underway. 

The VPD emphasized that they would be providing updates as the investigation progresses. 

Major crime detectives and collision reconstruction teams remained at the scene late into the evening, scouring the area for evidence and interviewing witnesses.

The festival had drawn families, children, and neighbors from across Vancouver, many eager to enjoy the warm spring evening, unaware of the horror about to unfold.

Instead, the street became a makeshift triage center as bystanders rushed to provide first aid before paramedics could arrive.

Videos posted on social media showed stunned festivalgoers standing beside twisted tents, toppled chairs, and scattered belongings, the aftermath of what should have been an ordinary, joyous community event.

Police have asked anyone with video footage of the incident or who witnessed the crash to contact investigators immediately.