[deanmine]

In the early hours of March 13, 2014, during the SXSW music festival, a catastrophic event occurred. A car, driven by a suspect fleeing from police, plowed into a crowd of festival attendees. This incident took place on Red River Street, a busy area in downtown Austin, which was teeming with people at the time.

The driver, Rashad Charjuan Owens, was reportedly evading a DUI checkpoint when he sped into the crowded street, which was closed to vehicular traffic and full of festival-goers. Owens' vehicle struck multiple individuals, resulting in a chaotic and tragic scene.

The incident resulted in four fatalities and injured more than 20 others, some seriously. The victims ranged from local attendees to international visitors who were part of the festival crowd.

Emergency services quickly responded to the scene, and the area was cordoned off for investigation and aid. The festival's schedule was impacted, with several events being canceled or relocated. The tragedy brought to light significant concerns regarding public safety at major events, crowd control measures, and the challenges of securing large, open venues.

Rashad Charjuan Owens was apprehended following the incident and faced multiple charges, including capital murder and aggravated assault with a motor vehicle. The legal proceedings highlighted issues related to drunk driving, police pursuit policies, and festival security protocols.

[jesse]

I want that sonofabitch dead.

[dirty ike]

I like your initial writing style deanmine, why soften it up. Keep up the good work, your descriptions sound spot on.

[DannyDrama]

Well shit, all those people and no-one had a camera rolling? Guessing that first guy never saw a body before.

[kellyhound]

too bad they used a stun gun instead of a real gun to catch him.

[deanmine]

took long enough

[WonderMomma]

sadly, a total of four people have died as of today (3/27).

http://www.billboard.com/articles/ne...-in-sxsw-crash

The tragic car crash which occurred in Austin on March 18 during SXSW has claimed another victim. DeAndre Tatum, 18 years old, passed away from injuries sustained in the violence which occurred on the evening of March 13. The news was verified by the Austin Police Department.


Tatum's girlfriend was also injured in the crash, according to KXAN. After being hospitalized, she was released on March 18.

Rashad Charjuan Owens, the suspect who drove his car into a crowd gathered on Red River while attempting to escape the police, is currently being held on a bond of $3 million in the Travis County jail. He is facing one count of capital murder, guilt of which carries the death penalty in Texas.

Twenty-four people were initially injured in the crash; two died at the scene, and two, now including Tatum, died from injuries sustained.

A breath test indicated Owens' blood-alcohol content was .114, exceeding the legal limit of .08, according to an arrest warrant.

The question of additional capital murder charges against suspect Rashad Owens is still being considered. "Texas State law requires two or more deaths in the same criminal transaction for the filing of a capital murder charge," according to a release from the Austin Police Department

[Bronte1068]

People who commit crimes like this should be forced to attend the autopsy, the embalming and the funerals of the people they kill. Sitting in a jail cell with books, music, etc. is too good for assholes like this.

[vagabond]

[Katheryne]

I was actually surprised at the pics/vid the press showed. Check out AustinStatesman.com