Austin Police have advised that streets between 9th and 12th on Red River will remain closed this morning following the early morning tragedy where two people lost their lives after a car collided with the SXSW crowd around 12:30am.
Many SXSW delegates are awakening to the news of deaths on that also seriously injured 23 people.
The incident happened outside Mohawk, a SXSW were Tyler The Creator was about to take the stage.
“Show Isnt Happening, Something Sad Happened. I’m Bummed,” Tyler The Creator tweeted before his show after hearing of the accident.
Show Isnt Happening, Something Sad Happened. I'm Bummed
— Tyler, The Creator (@fucktyler) March 13, 2014
Austin Police are holding a man in custody after he drove his silver Toyota into the crowded street. As a prime SXSW location, thousands of SXSW delegates were roaming Red River at the time going from venue to venue to see showcase artists.
Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo said in a tweet, “Thoughts & prayers go out to the victims of tonight’s tragedy & their families. Thank you to all the witnesses that stayed on scene”.
Thoughts & prayers go out to the victims of tonight's tragedy & their families. Thank you to all the witnesses that stayed on scene.
— Chief Art Acevedo (@ArtAcevedo) March 13, 2014
The scene of the accident is under further investigation and three blocks will remain closed during peak time this morning.
Area closed during morning commute: Red River, 9th-12th street & entrances to the streets from IH-35. Frontage roads of IH-35 are open.
— Austin Police Dept (@Austin_Police) March 13, 2014
Austin Police will release further details at around 10:30am.
Names of the deceased had no been disclosed at the time of publication of this story. “We owe it to the victims and their families to gather the evidence we need to bring them justice,” Chief Art Axecedo said.
