Pedestrian struck, killed by Dropkick Murphys’ tour bus

According to the Boston Globe, Celtic punks the Dropkick Murphys canceled a show Sunday night after their tour bus struck and killed a pedestrian in Austin, Texas. The band said that local police were looking into the possibility of the incident being a suicide. More information about the victim is expected today.

The pedestrian (a “white male”) was apparently walking along the center of the highway and then jumped out in front of the tour bus, which swerved to avoid hitting him. The band said their bus was “too damaged” to continue to their next show in Tulsa.

Read more from the Globe:

Ken Casey, bassist for the band, confirmed on the phone that the incident had taken place but declined to comment further until police notified the family of the man killed in the crash. “The band is pretty shaken up and don’t want to talk about the situation, especially since they don’t even know if the family has been notified yet,” Dropkick Murphys band manager Jeff Castelaz said in an e-mail Sunday night.

The next stop on the Dropkick Murphys’ tour is Nov. 19 in Mexico City. The band posted a lengthy statement about the incident on Facebook:

“Hello Tulsa fans. We have some tough news – we have to cancel tonight’s show at Cain’s Ballroom.

After last nights San Antonio show we were en route to the Dallas airport to drop off Al and then continue on to Tulsa (as we mentioned yesterday Al is flying home for the funeral of a life long friend).

Sadly however, just north of Austin we were involved in a tragic and fatal accident when a pedestrian suddenly ran onto the road in front of our tour bus. Police suspect a suicide.

We were left with a driver that has been severely shaken up by the accident and a bus too damaged to continue onto Tulsa.

Throughout the early morning hours we tried every possible way to get our band and gear to Tulsa but we’ve simply run out of time.

As much as it pains us to miss a show and we truly apologize for it, we’d like to stop and acknowledge that a man has lost his life. Please keep him and any family he might have in your prayers.

All tickets purchased via phone or Internet will be automatically refunded. Those who bought tickets in-person can return to the Cain box office during business hours for a refund.

Tulsa: thanks for your support and understanding. We will see you soon!”