Bourbon Street attack described as 'heinous' by witness, who shares message through grief.

Jimmy Cothran, who was present during the New Orleans attack on New Year's, shared his account of the event and disclosed the most challenging aspect of coping with the aftermath.

At least 14 people were killed and many others were injured in an attack on Bourbon Street early Wednesday, according to the FBI. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a U.S. citizen from Texas and an Army veteran who was influenced by the Islamic State.

Cothran stated on "The Story" on Thursday that there are now names and faces associated with the victims, who were previously unknown, and were full of life - now deceased.

Nicole Perez, a 27-year-old mother to a 4-year-old boy, was among the victims Cothran saw.

"Cothran stated that seeing Ms. Perez's picture with her son was devastating, as it did not match the woman he had seen. Looking down and up, he felt the pain and suffering she must have experienced in her final moments, and being alone in the middle of the road added to his emotional turmoil."

Another teenager, Nikyra Dedeaux, was killed by a high-speed truck at the age of 18.

Cothran stated that he had previously seen Nikyra, a very small girl, dancing and having a good time prior to the impact, which was to the left and a little further down from Ms. Perez.

After being hit, Cothran remembered that she didn't resemble a human.

Cothran argued that the truck's speed would have been reduced if barriers had been replaced, criticizing the lack of barriers in the city.

"Just so much could have been better," he said.

According to NOLA.com, the barriers from 2017 were removed in November as part of a larger security infrastructure project and are being replaced with new bollards by the city.

Cothran conveyed his sorrow for the victims and delivered a message of hope for the community healing from the harrowing event.

""We often overlook the way we treat each other, but when we face such heinous and evil things, we must not let small matters control our lives, as our existence may be at risk at any moment," he stated."