Two people have been killed and at least 23 others injured after a drunk driver crashed into Mohawk live music venue in Austin, Texas last night in the midst of South by Southwest festivities. 24 hours earlier, Jay Z and Kanye West were performing a mutually career-spanning 36-song set at the Austin Music Hall. That’s the kind of stuff that happens at SXSW, not reckless vehicular manslaughter.
Via the New York Times:
The Austin, Tex., police chief, Art Acevedo, told reporters that officers watching for drunken drivers had tried to stop the motorist about 12:30 a.m. outside a service station near the nightclubs and other venues that were hosting events related to the annual cultural and technology festival.
But the driver suddenly sped off, Chief Acevedo said, heading the wrong way down Ninth Street, a one-way street in downtown Austin, before turning onto Red River Street, where he rammed through a police barricade and struck a moped, a bicyclist and a taxi, in addition to hitting the pedestrians.
Organisers of SXSW and the staff of Mohawk have stated that despite the tragedy the show will go on and the regularly scheduled SXSW official showcases will run as planned.
“After talking with the Austin Police Department, we have determined that the most prudent course of action is to move forward with the SXSW shows scheduled at the Mohawk and [neighbouring venue] Cheer Up Charlie’s tonight. If we were to turn away potentially thousands of people who will arrive to see the shows, it would create a serious safety issue,” said SXSW Founder Roland Swenson.
“To avoid confusion we plan to carry on in order to serve our tens of thousands of participants during this tragic time,” added Swenson.
Mohawk owner James Moody said, “My staff and myself are brokenhearted for not only the victims and families of this senseless tragedy but also for our beloved Red River and this entire community. We have spent today working with SXSW and the City to create a relief fund for the victims. This is our number one priority – their care and support. We are a community here that exists far beyond the 10 days of SXSW. Our intent is to come together to help the families of each and every one of the victims.”
This incident really affirms the importance of safety and consideration for others in festival environments – all of which run on the ethos of community. Please remember this, and remember to take care of each other.
Photo by Barry Patenaude.
