The Maryland Festival, an event that brings in large crowds each year, experienced a series of unsettling incidents on Saturday. This occurred just hours after a propane explosion at the same celebration left people rattled.
According to police in Laurel, a woman named Kai Debery Bostic, 28, was arrested after she allegedly broke through a barrier and careened into a busy street filled with festival-goers. Bostic reportedly acted “recklessly.”
Body camera footage shows her sitting in her car, contemplating how to navigate through the closed street. In the video, officers apologize for the inconvenience and offer her a taxi.
Bostic can be heard saying, “There has to be another way. I can’t take a taxi all the way to Virginia. I work in Virginia.”
After exiting her vehicle, she approached an officer and exclaimed, “I need to get to work! What do you want me to do?” The officer cautioned her not to enter the restricted area, to which she replied, “I might have to.”
In a bold move, she ripped the warning tape from the barrier and hopped back in her car, driving directly toward police officers attempting to stop her. An officer shouted, “Stop it! Stop the car!”
The chaotic scene unfolded just hours after the propane explosion, which resulted from vendor setup. Mayor Keith R. Sidner of Laurel confirmed that one individual sustained injuries in the explosion and required hospitalization.
Footage captured the dramatic moment as Bostic drove aggressively towards the festival crowd, alarming the officers on foot. “Their swift response helped ensure the safety of festival attendees,” the Laurel police stated, noting that one officer suffered minor injuries when struck by Bostic’s vehicle.
The encounter unfolded shortly after the propane explosion incident, which had already caused substantial concern among the attendees. “This festival has been a tradition for 44 years,” Mayor Sidner remarked. “It’s unfortunate this accident occurred, but we are relieved that everyone is safe.”
Due to the recent events, the festival parade which typically ushers in the day at 9 AM was canceled. Sidner mentioned that they do not anticipate a thorough investigation into the explosion, suspecting it to be a “negligent accident during vendor setup.”
Each year, the Main Street Festival transforms Laurel’s main street in Maryland into a hub of activity, allowing thousands to enjoy various food vendors, art, and more, as noted on the Laurel City website.
Laurel police did not immediately return requests for comments.
