The Austin Police Department is reporting an alleged drunk driver at the 2014 SXSW Music Festival plowed through barricades and mowed over at least 25 people, killing two in the process while leaving five in critical condition.
The incident occurred on the heavy populated Red River Dr. between 9th and 10th street around 12:32 a.m. central time, today (March 13).
Tyler, the Creator and the rest of Odd Future were set to take the stage outside of the House of Vans but everything came to a cease once word of the tragedy rang out.
Via LA Weekly:
The collision happened …
… at 12:32 a.m. Austin time at Red River Street and East 10th Street, an Austin police official said.
The driver headed south into a cordoned off, one-block area and plowed into crowd members on the street, he said:
Basically what happened – it was still under DWI investigation – a driver ran through some temporary barricades we had set up for South by Southwest and after running through the barricades he continued to drive hitting multiple pedestrians.
Two victims were dead at the scene, he said.
Officers assigned to patrol the area because of SXSW crowds were right on the scene and quickly arrested a suspect, the officer said. “I believe they had to struggle with him,” he said.
Rumors that the driver was being pursued by cops before he plowed into the crowd were false, the official told us.
He said people go to that block to attend SXSW music events at “several venues” there.
The Los Angeles rappers expressed their condolences on Twitter after one suspect has been reportedly taken into custody.
View the gallery for pics from around the net of the horrific crime scene. Prayers to all affected by this unfortunate incident.
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Photo: Twitter/Spin, Adam Bennett TV, Brian A. Hernadez, Eye Opener TV, Tyler, The Creator, Taco Dicaprio
