RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — A Raleigh man said he feels blessed to not have been at the scene of the attack on New Orleans' Bourbon Street New Years morning. Noah Preston and his friend were in New Orleans celebrating New Year's Eve when they saw police cars rush by them. RELATED: ‘Aches at your heart’: Raleigh business owner describes tragic scene in New Orleans Preston thought police were responding to a crime and didn't think much of it. He returned to his hotel and woke up to learn the true gravity of what happened around the corner from them. The two were at the spot where the pick-up truck crashed just a few hours before the attack. "I couldn't believe we were so close," Preston said. "I feel blessed I was able to not be down that street because we were walking Bourbon Street about two, three hours earlier." Authorities said the driver, Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, killed at least 15 people and injured 35 more. "I'm stunned," Preston said. "It's super saddening. I obviously don't like to see any human life be taken, but at that magnitude is unbelievable." Preston said throughout the city on New Year's Day, things seemed calmer and quieter than usual. He attended mass, something he already planned on doing, but it took on a new meaning. "It felt heavier because of what had happened," he said. "You almost went there with more of a reason to go there." Preston and his friend also planned to go to the Sugar Bowl, which was originally scheduled for Wednesday evening. The game has been postponed until Thursday; he said they will still try to go.