A newly released crash report has determined that former MASTODON guitarist and co-founder Brent Hinds was at fault in the August 20 motorcycle accident that claimed his life in Atlanta.
According to Atlanta News First, the Atlanta Police Department concluded that Hinds, 51, was traveling between 63 and 68 mph on his Harley Davidson—nearly double the posted speed limit—when he collided with a BMW SUV at the intersection of Memorial Drive and Boulevard. Investigators reviewed traffic camera footage and cited multiple witness accounts describing him as “driving fast.”
Initial reports suggested that the SUV driver failed to yield while making a left turn, striking Hinds as he rode along Boulevard. However, the final report shifted responsibility to Hinds, citing his excessive speed as the determining factor. Discrepancies remain over whether the SUV driver had a green or red light when the crash occurred.
Police and emergency responders arrived at the scene around 11:35 p.m. Officers found Hinds unresponsive with severe injuries. Despite being rushed to Grady Memorial Hospital, he was later pronounced dead.
The SUV driver stayed at the scene and told investigators she was “positive the light was green” as she made her turn. A witness contradicted her statement, claiming the light was red, but both that witness and another bystander confirmed that Hinds appeared to be riding at high speed before impact.
A 911 caller who was two cars behind the collision recalled seeing Hinds launched into the air, spinning multiple times before crashing to the ground.
Responding officers noted that Hinds was initially still breathing and moving when they reached him, despite visible injuries to his head, arms, and torso. Tragically, his wounds proved fatal.
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