Alabama man arrested for reportedly driving through Christmas parade

HAYDEN, Ala. -- A 45-year-old man was arrested and charged for allegedly driving a minivan through a Christmas parade Tuesday evening.

WBRC-TV reports that Tony Nix was driving toward a marching band without headlights and sped toward the parade with children and adults walking down the road.

According to court records obtained by WVTM-TV, Nix drove past barricades and police officers and flipped them off, refusing to stop and comply with officers’ instructions. He reportedly almost hit police with the minivan.

WBRC says Nix eventually pulled over in front of an elementary school, where police arrested him.

Nix reportedly told officers that he did not know the road was closed for a parade, nor was he aware that he passed the officers. According to WBRC, authorities asked Nix why he flipped them off, and he told officers he did not know why and then denied doing so, adding that he was a band booster who knows better.

Police say no one was injured, WBRC reports.

Jail records show that Nix was booked into the Blount County Jail and charged with reckless endangerment, failure to obey police/fireman, and attempting to elude. He was released on $5,000 bond.

The incident happened just weeks after Darrell Brooks allegedly drove through a Wisconsin Christmas parade, taking the lives of five, and injuring dozens.

MORE: