Truck plows into crowd at Christmas parade in California leaving three people injured, one critically, as witnesses say ‘driver smelled like alcohol’

Three people are injured, at least one seriously, after a truck plowed into a crowd outside a California fire station while a Christmas parade was taking place.

The Bakersfield Christmas Parade was about to start around 5:45 p.m. local time when the incident occurred, officials said.

Witnesses claimed the driver of a white Ford F-150 backed out of an alley near a dry cleaners at a high rate of speed, hitting people as he tried to leave.

They then crashed into other victims before slamming the car into the edge of a local fire station.

The first victim was hit before the car began to roll over him before continuing and hitting two other men. All three were taken to hospital for their injuries, the police said.

Three people are injured, at least one seriously, after a truck plowed into a crowd outside a California fire station while a Christmas parade was taking place

Those who watched in shock said the man tried to put the vehicle in line and flee, but the car wouldn't move.

Several people mistakenly thought they heard gunshots, but police said it was just the sound of the driver's rear window breaking.

At least three people who saw the man said he smelled of alcohol, police said Bakersfield Californian.

At least one person was seriously injured, while another two people suffered less serious injuries.

The Ford driver – who was described by witnesses as an elderly man – was eventually arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, police said. He suffered no injuries.

In addition to the injuries, there was also debris and lawn chairs left unattended by the incident.

Misti Cole, the owner of a food truck that sells pastrami, said the Ford initially hit her vehicle.

“This is how I support my family and some drunk idiot just wrecked my truck,” Cole said.

The Bakersfield Christmas Parade was about to start around 5:45 p.m. local time when the incident occurred, officials said

Witnesses claimed the driver of a white Ford F-150 backed out of an alley near a dry cleaners at a high rate of speed, hitting people as he tried to leave.

They then crashed into other victims before slamming the car into the edge of a local fire station

The first victim was hit before the car began to roll over him before continuing and hitting two other men

The Christmas parade had to be rerouted, but ultimately went ahead, albeit with fewer participants

Kathy Switter noted that one of the victims had just bought hot chocolate for another person before the crash.

“He never slowed down,” Switter said of the driver.

The Christmas parade had to be rerouted, but ultimately went ahead, albeit with fewer participants.

Cole, the food truck owner, thought it was a bit “ridiculous” that the parade was still happening.

“These poor kids were just watching people get hit. It's a mess in here,” Cole said. “You don't know if these people are dead.”