SXSW Suspect May Face Death Penalty

A driver who plowed through a crowd at the South By Southwest Festival last night may face the death penalty under Texas law.

Two people died and 23 were injured after the allegedly inebriated driver was trying to evade a breath-testing checkpoint, Austin Police say.

After spotting the driver trying to escape the checkpoint by driving down a one way street authorities tried to apprehend him. He sped off and ended up crashing through a line of pedestrians. He also hit a moped and a taxi before crashing into a parked van. After trying to flee on foot, police apprehended the driver and have him in custody.

The incident reportedly happened in an area blocked off to traffic, outside the Mohawk venue were Tyler the Creator (Odd Future) was about to perform as part of the popular SXSW festival.

Tyler tweeted: "Show Isn't Happening, Something Sad Happened. I'm Bummed".

According to Forbes, the Austin Police will be charging the driver with two counts of capital murder and 23 counts of aggravated assault with a vehicle. If convicted of the multiple murders the suspect may face the death penalty, which is still practiced in Texas.