LOUISVILLE KENTUCKY, A mother of two died after a tragic accident during a St. Patrick’s Day parade in Louisville, Kentucky, when her foot became caught underneath a parade float, causing her to fall and be struck by the vehicle.
Joan Panutti Pottinger, a Louisville, Kentucky resident and mother of two, was identified as the victim who died after the incident during the St. Patrick’s Day parade on Saturday, March 14.
Authorities said the accident occurred as a pedestrian and parade participant walking alongside a float got her foot caught in part of the vehicle, causing her to fall and become trapped underneath it. The incident happened as the float moved along Bardstown Road and Grinstead Drive at approximately 4 p.m., according to the Louisville Metro Police Department.
Police said the woman was walking next to one of the floats when the incident occurred.
In an email statement shared with People magazine, Louisville police said their preliminary investigation indicated that an adult female participant believed to be in her 50s was walking alongside one of the floats when, for unknown reasons, her foot became caught, causing her to fall and become trapped under the vehicle, where she was struck.
After the float came to a stop, first responders provided emergency care at the scene before transporting the victim to University of Louisville Hospital. Panutti later died from her injuries.
At the time of the accident, the mother of two was reportedly marching with members of her family church, St. Agnes, when she became caught under the rear wheels of the float.
The Hibernian Cultural and Charitable Association, which organized the parade, released a statement expressing sorrow over the incident.
Organizers said they were deeply saddened by the tragic accident during this year’s parade and extended their thoughts and prayers to the victim’s family and everyone affected by the event.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg also shared condolences to Panutti’s family in a post on X, saying he was saddened to hear about the tragic accident that took a woman’s life during the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and asking the community to keep the family and friends in their prayers.
The Louisville Metro Police Department said its traffic unit is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
A LinkedIn profile associated with Joan Panutti described her as Director of Mission Advancement and highlighted her professional background as a nonprofit development professional with more than a decade of experience in social media, marketing, and promotional work, including contributions to the success of numerous brands.
Parade organizers later shared a GoFundMe fundraiser established to support Panutti’s family.
She is survived by her husband and two children, ages 9 and 13.
