Oklahoma State University Parade Car Crash: Homecoming Festivities End With At Least 3 Dead

UPDATE: 1:56 p.m. EDT -- The driver of the car that careened into a crowd of people in Stillwater, Oklahoma, was suspected of driving while intoxicated, police officials said during a press conference. The woman driving the car has been arrested for Driving Under the Influence and had been remanded to jail.

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin issued a brief statement offering her condolences to "those affected" by Saturday's fatal crash that claimed the lives of at least three people after a car careened into them and several others in Stillwater, Oklahoma, where they were watching the Oklahome State University homecoming parade. The National Guard was on the scene, and Fallin confirmed several law enforcement agencies were responding.

UPDATE: 1:08 p.m. EDT -- The death toll has risen in Stillwater, Oklahoma, where the mayor said three lost their lives when a car drove into a crowd of people assembled late Saturday morning to watch the Oklahoma State University homecoming parade. Another two were in critical condition and nearly 30 people were evacuated by several helicopters to local hospitals.

The driver of the vehicle has been identified as a woman. Authorities took her into custody at the scene, according to the News Press, a local news outlet.

Original Story:

At least two people died Saturday morning after a car careened into a crowd attending a college homecoming parade in Stillwater, Oklahoma, according to reports. Local police responding to reports of multiple injuries after the vehicle smashed into parade bystanders as part of Oklahoma State University’s homecoming festivities had also received reports of a fatality. But they had not confirmed it.

"There was a major accident, and we don't have any further information at this time," a spokesperson for the Stillwater Police Department told International Business Times.

The incident that also hit and injured a motorcyclist, according to local media outlet News On 6, reportedly occurred at the final stage of the parade near Hall of Fame Avenue and Main Street, according to reports on social media. The car that hit the crowd was apparently not part of the parade procession.

The vehicle reportedly ran over several parade goers. According to a local reporter who has been tweeting updates, the car was going well above the speed limit and there was no sound of screeching tires before the moment of impact, suggesting the driver never applied the brakes at all.

Oklahoma State University issued a brief statement on Twitter after learning about the morning's accident. "Oklahoma State University is saddened by the tragic parade incident earlier this morning. Our thoughts & prayers are with those affected," the statement read.

Three helicopters were reportedly dispatched to the scene to assist the emergency responders already there.

Oklahoma State University's homecoming is traditionally a festive affair, and the school had been busy preparing ornate decorations on campus and around town to note the occasion.

The school's football team was set to square off against the Kansas Jayhawks Saturday afternoon. It was not immediately clear whether the game would go on as scheduled because of the tragic turn of events.

This is a breaking news story and it will be updated as additional information becomes available.

Chris Harress contributed to this report.