Suspected Drunk Driver Responsible For 2 Deaths Identified As Rashad Charjuan Owens

The driver responsible for two deaths in the car crash at SXSW has been identified by police as Rashad Charjuan Owens.

The 21-year-old is suspected of being drunk early Thursday, March 13 (or late Wednesday night) when he drove his car right into a crowded street blocked off for the SXSW Festival. Owens killed two people on impact and barreled through crowds, resulting in over twenty people injured with eight currently in the hospital receiving treatment – two are in critical condition while another three are in serious condition and three more people are still in the hospital with serious injuries, but are expected to recover.

Man Killed In SXSW Crash Identified

The incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. Thursday, and Owens struck and killed a man on a bicycle and a woman riding a moped. The woman’s identity has not yet been released by the police, but the man who died has been identified as Steven Craenmehr, 35, creative director of MassiveMusic, who was attending the festival.

“During the 8 years that Steven worked for MassiveMusic, we got to know him as an unstoppable force, full of life, love and laughter. This is an irreplaceable loss for the MassiveMusic family and we are grateful for the years we spent with him. Our thoughts are with Steven’s family and friends,” MassiveMusic said in a statement.

Suspect Rashad Charjuan Owens

Owens was treated for minor injuries he sustained when his car crashed into a Taxi, essentially ending the police pursuit. His blood alcohol level was tested, but the results have yet to be released. He is now in custody where he will be charged with two counts of capital murder and 23 counts of aggravated assault with a vehicle. He has a record containing many misdemeanor arrests, including one DWI.

As previously reported, SXSW is continuing as scheduled, though many events will need to be moved. Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo says he encouraged the SXSW organizers to continue with the festival, saying, “This is an individual who showed no regard for the human beings he plowed through. We can’t let one individual ruin this great event.”

Olivia Truffaut-Wong

Get Uinterview's FREE iPhone App For Daily News Updates here.

Get the FREE Uinterview iPad app here and watch our videos anywhere.

More on SXSW:

2 Dead, Over 20 Injured By Drunk Driver At SXSW [DEVELOPING]

'Before I Disappear' Premieres At SXSW With Shawn Christensen, Fatima Ptacek, Emmy Rossum, Ron Perlman, Paul Wesley

Coldplay Teases New Album 'Ghost Stories' At iTunes Festival

Josh Lucas Attends World Premiere Of 'The Mend' Then Hits Afterparty

uInterview

Recent Posts

TIFF Oscar Buzz: ‘The Martian,’ ‘Room’ And ‘The Danish Girl’ Lead In Oscar Race

The Martian, Room and The Danish Girl emerge Oscar front-runners as the Toronto International Film Festival…

9 years ago

Dan Rather Confirms Authenticity Of ‘Truth’ At TIFF, Stands By 2004 Report About George W. Bush

Truth, the drama based on Dan Rather’s departure from CBS, premiered to a standing ovation…

9 years ago

‘Equals’ Starring Kristen Stewart And Nicholas Hoult Inspires Heated Bidding War At TIFF

Equals, the sci-fi romance starring Kristen Stewart and Nicholas Hoult, is closing in on a…

9 years ago

Jessica Chastain Gushes Over Playing An Astronaut In ‘The Martian’ At TIFF Press Conference

Matt Damon and Jessica Chastain likened shooting The Martian to being a little kid playing…

9 years ago

Jake Gyllenhaal Kicks Off TIFF 2015 With ‘Demolition’

Jake Gyllenhaal opened the Toronto International Film Festival on Thursday with the premiere of Demolition.…

9 years ago

Natalie Portman Attends The TIFF Premiere Of Her Directorial Debut ‘A Tale Of Love And Darkness’

Natalie Portman appeared in Toronto on Thursday for the North American premiere of her directorial…

9 years ago