Murder Charge for SXSW Driver Who Crashed Into Crowd, Killing 2
The suspect who crashed into a crowd of people at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, now faces two capital murder charges and multiple counts of aggravated assault. Rashad Charjuan Owens, 21, is the driver of the vehicle that caused so much damage. He has a history of drunk driving and a criminal history.
In 2011, Owens was charged and pleaded guilty to driving under the influence in Alaska as well as leaving the scene of an accident. The charge of leaving the scene was later dismissed. He was also charged with criminal mischief but failed to appear in court, leaving an arrest warrant open should he return to the state.
Owens was allegedly pulled over early Thursday morning and then took off, going the wrong way down the street. During the drive, Owens hit a bicyclist, a moped with two passengers, and a taxi before driving onto a sidewalk and then hitting a van. One of the passengers on the moped died, as did the bicyclist.
Approximately 20 people were injured during the fiasco, leading many to wonder whether the evening's festivities would be cancelled. South by Southwest organizers decided to keep things going in the spirit of the festival.
"We would all like to go home, but we feel an obligation to carry on," SXSW chief Roland Swenson told the Los Angeles Times. "It would cause more problems for people to show up and be turned away than to carry on."
"We cannot allow one individual to ruin a celebration of life, of music," Police Chief Art Acevedo told reporters.
The victims have been identified as musician Steven Craenmehr, 35, and Austin resident Jamie Ranae West, 27.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by the tragic accident that took place last night here in Austin," a statement from SXSW read. "We appreciate and commend the first responders, as well as the city agencies who so quickly sprung into action."
