#SXSW

SXSW is actually an abbreviation for South by Southwest, a festival in Texas that features movies, tech, and lots of music.



It had a very dark morning yesterday because a guy in a car just drove through a group of people.



Reportedly, the suspected drunk driver was fleeing a DUI checkpoint; he was trying to get away from police.



He took off at high speed, drove down a one-way street – the wrong way, crashed through a barricade. The street had been closed to keep those attending the South by Southwest festival safe. He then plowed through a group of people: he hit several pedestrians, a moped, a bicycle, a taxi, and a van, before stopping his vehicle and attempting to flee on foot. Officers were able to apprehend the man, and have him in custody.

As of typing this, 2 people have died – they were pronounced dead on the scene: a Texas woman who was riding on the moped, and a Dutch man who was riding the bicycle.





23 people were injured, 15 of those 23 that were hospitalized have been released. 5 others were listed in critical condition.





The suspect, 21-year-old Rashad Charjuan Owens, is facing 2 counts of capital murder (an offense in Texas which makes him eligible for the death penalty), and 23 counts of aggravated assault with a vehicle.



There were people on the scene with cameras – it's just so rough to look at. It's all just so random, terrible, and stupid!



This story honestly breaks my heart. It breaks my heart because it's 100% preventable. Nonetheless, I try to remember that there are seven billion people on this planet so there's bound to be a good amount of shitty, shitty people; and those people make the news 'cause they do terrible stuff. But really, it's pointless, and it hurts my soul, and aches my heart. My thoughts go out to those affected by this.