Neilson Rizzuto, 25, is accused of driving into a crowd in New Orleans. Picture: Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office via AP

Rizzuto was arrested on a number of charges and was being held at the city’s jail his alleged drunken rampage left 28 people injured, including five critically.

His grandmother, Lorettz Rizzuto, said her grandson was hardworking and not known to have a drinking problem.

“He was employed since last week, that I know of,” she told NOLA.com. “He’s a very good worker. His daddy’s always talking good about him working hard, working good hours and maintaining his bills and not getting into trouble.”

Neilson Rizzuto was arrested on a number of charges. Picture: Facebook/Neilson Francis Derrick RizzutoSource:Supplied

Neilson Rizzuto, 25, has been charged over Saturday’s horrific incident. Picture: Facebook/Neilson Francis Derrick RizzutoSource:Supplied

Police say Neilson Rizzuto drunkenly ploughed a truck into a New Orleans parade. Picture: Facebook/Neilson Francis Derrick RizzutoSource:Facebook

The shocking incident happened on Saturday during one of the busiest nights of mardi gras when thousands of people throng the streets of Mid-City to watch the elaborate floats and clamour to catch beads and trinkets tossed from riders.

“We suspect that subject was highly intoxicated,” Police Chief Michael Harrison had said on Saturday evening.

A driver allegedly ploughed into mardi gras revellers in New Orleans. Picture: Matthew Hinton/The Advocate via APSource:AP

Mr Harrison was asked by the media if terrorism was suspected. While he didn’t say “No,” he did say it looks like a case of DUI.

Twenty-one people were hospitalised after the crash with five victims taken to the trauma centre in guarded condition.

However, their conditions did not seem to be life-threatening, said Dr Jeff Elder, city emergency services director. Seven others declined to be hospitalised, he said.

The victims range in age from as young as three or four to adults in their 30s and 40s, Dr Elder said.

Emergency personnel attend to injured parade watchers after a truck ploughed into the crowd. Picture: Scott Threlkeld/The Advocate via APSource:AP

Among the injured was one New Orleans police officer. Mr Harrison said the officer, who was on duty, was undergoing tests to determine the extent of her injuries. She was in “good spirits,” he said.

As police and city officials assessed the accident scene, people streamed home as plastic bags that used to hold trinkets and discarded beads littered the ground.

Saturday night’s parade was put on by the Krewe of Endymion, which is known for its long, elaborate floats and the big party it hosts at the Superdome after the parade.

A man is rushed to hospital after being injured in the parade incident. Picture: Scott Threlkeld/The Advocate via APSource:AP

One woman at the scene told The New Orleans Advocate that a silver truck whisked closely by her as she was walking through the intersection. Carrie Kinsella said, “I felt a rush it was so fast.”

Kourtney McKinnis, 20, told the Advocate that the driver of the truck seemed almost unaware of what he had just done. “He was just kind of out of it,” she said.