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KXAN
March 14, 2014
Rashad Charjuan Owens, 21, the driver in a deadly downtown wreck who police suspected of driving drunk, will be charged with two counts of capital murder and 23 counts of aggravated assault with a vehicle after the car plowed through a crowded street full of people waiting for a South by Southwest concert.
A Central Texas woman riding on the back of a moped and a man from the Netherlands on a bicycle were killed when the car hit a crowd of people outside Mohawk. More than 20 others taken to the hospital.
According to a post on MassiveMusic.com, one of the victim’s was 35-year-old Steven Craenmehr. “This is an irreplaceable loss for the MassiveMusic family and we are grateful for the years we spent with him,” the statement said.
Two people remained in critical condition, and three others had serious injuries and were being treated at area hospitals, Austin-Travis County EMS Chief of Staff James Shamard said in a 10:30 a.m. press conference.
Police say Owens sped away from an officer after being stopped on suspicion of DWI a few blocks earlier.
Owens almost hit a police officer with the car while trying to get away, according to police. He then went the wrong way on Ninth Street, plowed through a barricade on Red River Street, and hit the people in the crowd.
“This is an individual that committed an intentional act,” Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo said of the suspect.
Owens then went through 10th and 11th streets before hitting a van. That’s when police say the driver jumped out of the car and began to run, but police managed to use a Taser and arrest the suspect.
“An individual that’s willing to drive down a street mowing people down is either going to crash through a barricade or go around a barricade,” Acevedo said. “The bottom line is when somebody is acting intentionally – and this is a person that was trying to get away – it’s very difficult to stop.”
Owens had previously been charged with DUI and leaving the scene of a 2011 incident in Alaska. He was also arrested in Bell County, Texas in 2012.
Mohawk canceled all its events Wednesday night, and officials evacuated Cheer Up Charlie’s. Other events at Mohawk were also called off on Thursday.
Austin resident Kirk Visser, 47, lives across the street from Mohawk nightclub, where the bands X and TEEN had just wrapped up when the crash happened and rapper Tyler the Creator was scheduled to perform at 1 a.m.
Visser was watching TV when he heard the crash, and said he thought the nightclub’s outdoor balcony had collapsed, so he stepped outside on his second-floor balcony.
“As soon as I stepped out, I knew I had heard metal on a body,” he said. “There were people everywhere running and screaming.”
“SXSW is a long time event, 27 years,” said Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell. “This is the first time in those 27 years that we’ve had an incident of this kind.”
SXSW organizers and Austin police also asked Cheer Up Charlie’s to call off Thursday’s scheduled ‘Death and Taxes East End‘ event. They event was still looking for a new venue. Cheer Up Charlie’s planned to reopen at 4 p.m.
Meanwhile, Red River Street is closed from Ninth to 11th streets.
Police have set up a specific number for people to call if they have pictures, video or information about this situation.
Police posted on Facebook, “If you witnessed, have video/photos of the incident @ Red River call (512) 974-5186. Do not tie this line up for any other reason.”
St. David’s Episcopal Church will host a prayer service at 5:30 at 301 E. 8th Street.
