Gay pride in Anchorage on Saturday turned somber just a the event began, when the convertible carrying the grand marshal struck and killed a pedestrian marching in the parade.

Police identified the victim as 50-year-old James L. Crump of Anchorage. Crump worked as a registered nurse for the city’s Health and Human Services department and was walking in the annual parade, police said.

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.

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“It’s a pure accident,” Frank said. “(The driver) just panicked and kept hitting the accelerator and it kept jumping forward.”

Crump was dragged underneath the car, Frank said.

Police tried unsuccessfully to revive the unidentified victim, according to reports.

The parade was canceled immediately following the incident.

Tags: Alaska, Anchorage, Gay Pride, Pride

Filed under: Alaska