Multiple deaf bystanders injured by car crash in Austin

On Friday night in Austin, Texas, several deaf people who were walking on a sidewalk were seriously injured when they were plowed by a car that was hit by a pick-up truck.

Several of the people in this group were Sorenson employees who were in town for the DeafNation expo taking place today at the Palmer Events Center, which is less than a mile from the crash site. The crash was last night, the expo is today.

I received confirmation from Sorenson that several of their employees were injured in this incident. Sorenson will be releasing an official statement today.

KXAN News reported that there were 11 total adults involved and that nine were taken to the hospital. It is not clear yet how many of them were deaf people or Sorenson employees. One of those hospitalized was a driver of one of the two vehicles in the crash.

KXAN said two of the injured had serious, potentially life-threatening injuries. Two others had serious injuries, while five had non-life-threatening injuries. They were either taken to Dell Seton or South Austin Medical Center.

KVUE said a Chuy’s restaurant worker said there were “people trapped under the silver car” and that one had a “severe leg injury.”

Hearing witnesses told KXAN and KVUE that the crash was very loud. One witness said the pick-up truck was speeding before the crash. Scenes from the crash site showed the silver car with a completely dented side.

I reached out to Joel Barish, the co-founder and CEO of DeafNation, to get his comments. Barish said it is hard on them because they are a close-knit community with Sorenson being with DeafNation since 2003 as a sponsor. Barish said he sends his thoughts, prayers, and support to the Sorenson team and employees who are in serious health situations.

That’s all the information we have for now. Clearly a very tragic situation.

UPDATE: Sorenson said 10 of their employees were injured and transported to hospitals with varying degrees of serious injuries.

https://www.kxan.com/.../multiple-hurt-after-vehicle.../

https://www.kvue.com/.../269-e00ec322-2a56-4735-8278...

https://www.sorenson.com/