Police rule out terrorism in car ramming at New Orleans parade

A pickup truck plowed into a crowd at a Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans late on Friday, leaving 12 in critical condition.

Overall 28 were hospitalized and the number could increase, a police spokesperson said.

The driver of the vehicle was arrested at the scene.

Police said they are not investigating the incident as a terror attack; rather, the detained man is suspected of drunk driving.

"He took out rows of people," a witness was quoted by The Guardian as saying.

The procession is part of the run-up to the city's iconic annual Mardi Gras festivities.