A fatal hit-and-run incident in the heart of downtown Austin has put a damper on the city's renowned South by Southwest (SXSW) festival. In the early hours of Tuesday, a vehicle struck two pedestrians, leaving one dead and another with critical injuries. The incident occurred at the intersection of 7th Street and Red River, as reported by FOX7 Austin.
This is a developing situation and more updates may become available. pic.twitter.com/JkgUpmO20O
— SXSW (@sxsw) March 12, 2024
Police were notified of the crash around 1:10 a.m., but upon their arrival, the driver involved had already fled the scene. A section of East Seventh Street was subsequently closed to traffic as authorities conducted their investigation. This street is a central hub during the SXSW festival, which has been hosting music events in the vicinity. Despite the investigation, the road was reopened before dawn, as per a statement obtained by KXAN.
In response to the tragedy, SXSW organizers shared a message of condolence, saying, "We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of an individual in downtown Austin following an auto-pedestrian accident that took place shortly after 1:00 am this morning. Our thoughts are with all affected by this tragic incident."
Authorities have not released details on a suspected vehicle or its driver, and an investigation remains ongoing.
