Two Dead In SXSW Hit And Run

Tragic news from this year’s South By Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, where what appears to be a hit and run incident has left two dead and more injured.

Various reports have confirmed that a car crashed into a crowd of people just outside the Mohawk venue within the city centre last night (Wednesday March 12), moments before rapper Tyler The Creator was set to go onstage.

“There were several lines [outside of the venue],” an eye-witness has told Complex in describing the scene moments before the crash. “I was standing on the left side with the badge-holders. There were people without badges waiting on the other side, some in the street. Security moved them onto the sidewalk, some people were possibly hanging off onto the street.”

The Austin Police Department has since confirmed that two people involved in the incident have died, with 23 people being taken to hospital for injuries sustained.

It has also been confirmed that an individual, believed to be the driver, has been remanded in custody. We’ll keep you updated with any developments as the day goes on.

Merlin was promoted to Executive Editor of Louder in early 2022, following over ten years working at Metal Hammer. While there, he served as Online Editor and Deputy Editor, before being promoted to Editor in 2016. Before joining Metal Hammer, Merlin worked as Associate Editor at Terrorizer Magazine and has written for Classic Rock, Rock Sound, eFestivals and others. Across his career he has interviewed legends including Ozzy Osbourne, Lemmy, Metallica, Iron Maiden (including getting a trip on Ed Force One courtesy of Bruce Dickinson), Guns N' Roses, KISS, Slipknot, System Of A Down and Meat Loaf. He has also presented and produced the Metal Hammer Podcast, presented the Metal Hammer Radio Show and is probably responsible for 90% of all nu metal-related content making it onto the site.