Parade Crash Horror

Minutes after the start of the 2005 Miss Taxi parade honoring those with Hispanic Heritage in Jackson Heights on Sunday, one of the organizers accidentally hit a group of seven pageant contestants as horrified spectators looked on.
Hugo Portella, 61, was driving an SUV and was behind a delegation of 15 girls, when it appeared that he apparently stepped on the gas instead of the brakes, hitting the girls, dragging two of them underneath his vehicle.
In the middle of screams, a number of people who were at the scene waiting to enter the parade at 70th Street in Jackson Heights, rushed to the aid of the girls, helping to lift up the car and pull the girls to safety.
Immediately, several police cars and an ambulance that were on hand for the parade, responded to the scene to assist the teenage girls.
At least three of the young girls – a Giselle Sosa and two others who remained unidentified – were taken to Elmhurst Hospital Center where they were treated for injuries, most of which were minor, and later released.
A witness who saw the incident occur, said that there was much confusion about trying to coordinate the cars and walkers during the parade procession.
After the girls were struck, Portella was crying and trembling, barely able to articulate a word. He only managed to get out that he hoped that he had not killed anyone.
As of press time, no charges had been filed against him.