FOX 7 Austin reported that at 12:30 a.m. Austin police tried to pull over a suspected drunk driver but the driver turned down 9th Street then right on Red River St., hit and a man and woman riding a moped and then crashed through a South by Southwest barricade and plowed through a crowd of spectators. 23 people were injured, according to Austin emergency medical services. Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo reported that the female moped rider and a male cyclist from the Netherlands were pronounced dead on the scene.
The suspect crashed his vehicle and tased by police.
@RogPog_: Map of the chain of events that occurred with the accident at #SXSW #SXSWcrash pic.twitter.com/9OTtotV6Tj
— Rog (@RogPog_) March 13, 2014"First time in 27 years we've had an incident of this kind," Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell said during a press conference Thursday.
The suspect was tased and appreheded by the pursuing officer, according to Chief Acevedo. "Tragedy brings opportunity. This is a 'gut check' for people of the state, global community," Acevedo said. The suspect could be charged with two counts of capital murder and 23 counts of aggravated assault with a vehicle.
Police chief says the name will not be released until the suspect has been charged, but he is a black male.
BREAKING NEWS: 2 dead, 23 injured after car plows through crowd outside venue near SXSW in Austin. Via @AP pic.twitter.com/Vc9MoV5DIp
— PzFeed Top News (@PzFeed) March 13, 2014The SXSW director says that the show will continue, and changes will be announced throughout the day.
(via: FOX 7 Austin)
