Allegedly Drunken Driver Slams into Austin Crowd, Killing Two

Austin, TX (Law Firm Newswire) March 17, 2014 – An allegedly drunken driver slammed into a large crowd of people at the South by Southwest festival in Austin leaving two dead and at least 23 injured.

“According to eyewitness reports, the Austin police were chasing a man they suspected was driving while impaired. They spotted him heading the wrong way on a one-way street and when they went to stop him, he took off at high speed, taking a diversionary run through a gas station parking lot. The lot was solidly parked and the pursuing cruiser had to stop and back out. The driver kept accelerating up the street, hitting people and vehicles as he fled,” recounts Bobby Lee, an Austin DWI plaintiff’s lawyer with Lee Gober & Reyna. The South by Southwest festival, the scene of this horrific event, is held yearly offering film, interactive and music festivals. It is an extremely popular event, drawing thousands.

The police were eventually able to chase the driver, 21-year-old Rashad Owens, down but had to use a Taser to subdue the individual to take him into custody. Other witnesses and surviving victims indicated the driver swerved to hit people and had run into someone on a moped, a man on a bicycle, pedestrians, a van, and had crashed into a taxicab. YouTube videos taken by people who saw the carnage were posted on the Internet. The full horror of the event was captured as bodies were seen flying in the air after being hit. Paramedics and survivors described the scene as being like a war zone. Others saw people they were standing close to die.

“The driver was charged with two counts of capital murder, the highest offense under state law,” says Lee, “and was also charged with 23 counts of aggravated assault by vehicle.” Many of the survivors were admitted to the nearest local hospital with multiple internal injuries. Some were lucky enough to be released after treatment, but at least eight remain in the hospital. Three are reported as being in serious condition, two are rated as critical and three have non-life threatening injuries. Police are urging anyone that shot video footage or took pictures, to turn the evidence over to the police to enhance their case against the driver of the car.

“This horrific event clearly shows that life can and does change on a dime. Due to the negligence of a driver under the influence, two died and 23 were injured. The individual was negligence in drinking to excess, by getting into his vehicle and driving in the manner he did. If you are one of those who suffered injuries in this catastrophically devastating event, call me. We stand ready to assist you in obtaining compensation for your injuries,” says Lee.

To learn more, visit http://www.lgrlawfirm.com Lee, Gober & Reyna 11940 Jollyville Road #220-S Austin, Texas 78759 Phone: 512.478.8080