It’s a scene most people can’t scrub from their brains. You’ve probably seen bits and pieces of it on the news or scrolling through social media—that blurry, high-angle footage of a red SUV turning a festive afternoon into a nightmare. Honestly, the Darrell Brooks parade video isn't just a piece of "content" or a viral clip. It was the backbone of one of the most chaotic trials in modern American history.
November 21, 2021, was supposed to be a "Norman Rockwell" kind of day in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Instead, it became a crime scene that spanned blocks.
What the Darrell Brooks Parade Video Actually Showed
When the trial kicked off in October 2022, prosecutors didn't just rely on what people remembered. They had a mountain of digital evidence. We are talking about city livestreams, Ring doorbells, and cell phone videos from parents who were just trying to film their kids dancing.
Basically, the footage showed a red 2010 Ford Escape barrel through barricades at about 40 miles per hour. One of the most haunting details from the testimony of Detective Thomas Casey was how the vehicle didn't just drive straight. The Darrell Brooks parade video evidence showed the SUV zigzagging.
It wasn't a mechanical failure.
It wasn't a driver lost in a crowd.
The prosecution argued the "zigzagging" was proof of intent—an effort to hit as many people as possible.
You could see the "Dancing Grannies" in their blue vests and pom-poms. Then, in a flash, the SUV enters the frame. The video shows bodies being thrown into the air like "dummies," a description used by witness Nicole Schneiter that still feels gut-wrenching years later.
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The Trial and the "Sovereign Citizen" Side Show
If you followed the trial, you know it was a circus. Brooks dismissed his public defenders and decided to represent himself. It was a bold move that mostly consisted of him arguing about "subject matter jurisdiction" and claiming he wasn't a "person" but a "living soul."
He spent a lot of time hiding behind a fort of cardboard boxes.
Seriously.
He built a wall of legal files so the cameras couldn't see him.
But while Brooks was busy arguing with Judge Jennifer Dorow about his name, the Darrell Brooks parade video was doing the talking for the state. Every time he claimed he didn't "intend" to hurt anyone, the DA, Sue Opper, would pull up another angle. They showed the SUV's hood crumpled. They showed a Santa hat caught in the side mirror.
The Moments People Often Misunderstand
A lot of people think Brooks was being chased by cops when he hit the parade. That’s a common misconception.
In reality, Brooks was fleeing a domestic disturbance involving his ex-girlfriend at a nearby park. Police weren't even in high-speed pursuit of him when he turned onto the parade route. He chose to enter that restricted zone. One officer, Jack Liermann, testified that he was only 10 feet away from the SUV and saw Brooks looking out the window, looking back at the carnage he was leaving behind.
It’s also worth noting that Brooks wasn't "unidentified." There is a video of him shortly after the crash, standing on a random person's porch. He told the homeowner he was "waiting for an Uber." He looked calm. That contrast between the screaming in the parade videos and his casual demeanor on a doorbell cam was a huge factor for the jury.
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The Human Toll Recorded on Camera
The videos helped convict him, but they also serve as a permanent record of the lives lost. We should name them because they are more important than the guy behind the wheel:
- Virginia Sorenson (79)
- LeAnna Owen (71)
- Tamara Durand (52)
- Jane Kulich (52)
- Wilhelm Hospel (81)
- Jackson Sparks (8)
Jackson was only eight years old. He was marching with his baseball team, the Waukesha Blazers. The footage of that specific section of the parade is something even seasoned investigators found difficult to watch.
Why This Case Still Matters in 2026
You might wonder why we’re still talking about this. Well, the Darrell Brooks parade video changed how we look at "low cash bail." Brooks was out on a measly $1,000 bond for a previous violent offense when this happened. That sparked a massive wave of bail reform talk across the country.
Also, Brooks is still trying to appeal. As of 2025 and into 2026, he’s been back in court for other charges and trying to move his parade conviction to a new trial. He’s currently serving six consecutive life sentences plus over 700 years. He isn't getting out.
The evidence is just too overwhelming.
When Judge Dorow finally sentenced him, she said, "There is no medication or treatment for a heart that is bent on evil." She didn't say that just because of his behavior in court. She said it because she sat through weeks of watching those videos—seeing exactly what he did when he thought no one was watching.
Next Steps for Understanding the Case:
If you're looking to understand the legal nuances better, you can look up the "Sovereign Citizen" movement to see why Brooks' arguments were legally hollow. You can also research the Wisconsin "Bail Reform" legislation that was directly influenced by the gaps in the system that allowed Brooks to be on the street that day. Finally, if you want to support the survivors, the "Waukesha Strong" community funds still provide resources for the dozens of people who suffered life-altering injuries recorded in those very videos.