The Bilerico Project | Daily experiments in LGBTQ

Yesterday, during the Pridefest parade in Anchorage, Alaska, the car carrying the grand marshal ran over and killed a man marching in the parade, which was subsequently canceled.

The man was James L. Crump, a 50-year-old registered nurse for the Anchorage Health & Human Services department. The Anchorage Daily News reported:

Police said the driver was Edith Bailey, 70, of Eagle River.

Grand Marshal Doug Frank said he was riding in the black convertible on Sixth Avenue near D Street when Bailey had trouble with the car's accelerator. It lurched forward, Frank said.

"It ran over a person, totally over," he said, sobbing. "This went from one of the best days of my life to the worst."

Police believe the 1971 Triumph Stag was traveling at a low speed when it struck [Crump], said Lt. Dave Parker, a department spokesman.

Police said that Bailey panicked after hitting Crump, accidentally continued hitting the accelerator, and pulled the man under the car. A rescue team on the scene could not revive Crump.

The parade was a part of a week of Alaska Pride events in the city. The incident occurred before the parade began and prompted the event's organizers to call off the parade.

A Pridefest celebration did occur later that afternoon, where attendees enjoyed food, drinks, music, and dancing. The Pride week in Anchorage ended today.

Police are still looking into some of the details of the unfortunate tragedy.

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