We always enjoy the headlines about unknown acts that took to the stage during South by Southwest and captured the attention of music fans everywhere. Unfortunately, the biggest story from this year's festival will be of a drunken driver who killed two and injured more than 20 more during a police chase.
A police officer working with Austin's DWI unit attempted to pull over a driver in a grey Honda. The driver attempted to evade police by driving through a gas station parking lot and then by heading the wrong way down a one-way street, smashing through a police barrier in the process. The vehicle plowed into a crowd of concertgoers beyond the barrier, before attempting to flee again. The driver struck a couple riding a moped, before attempting to flee on foot, where he was tazed by a pursuing officer.
The pair riding the moped were pronounced dead at the scene, and 23 others were taken to local hospitals. Five were listed as being in critical condition as of early Thursday morning. The Austin Police Department has not released the names of the deceased or injured.
Art Acevedo, the Austin Police Chief, announced at a press conference Thursday morning that the department would be pursuing two counts of capital murder and 23 accounts of aggravated assault against the suspect, who has also not been named. A source reported to CNN that the perpetrator was "swerving to hit victims," although that intent hasn't been verified by any other reports. The suspect could face the death penalty under Texas law.
SXSW's Twitter account sent out a request that those present at the scene call the Austin Police Department at 512-974-5186.
