A newly released crash report has concluded that Mastodon guitarist and co-founder Brent Hinds was at fault in the August 20 motorcycle collision that claimed his life.
According to Atlantanewsfirst.com , The Atlanta Police Department said Hinds, 51, was riding his Harley Davidson at a speed between 63 and 68 mph – nearly twice the posted limit – when he collided with a BMW SUV at the intersection of Memorial Drive and Boulevard. Investigators used traffic camera footage to determine his speed and cited witness accounts describing him as "driving fast."
Initially, police indicated the SUV driver had failed to yield while making a left turn, colliding with Hinds as he traveled along Boulevard. However, the final report placed responsibility on Hinds due to excessive speed. Conflicting accounts remain over whether the SUV driver had a green or red light at the time of the turn.
The report noted that Hinds was "breathing and moving" when first responders arrived, but he later died at Grady Memorial Hospital from his injuries. The SUV driver was also hospitalized with injuries to her head and arms.
Hinds' death shook the global metal community. As lead guitarist and co-founder of Mastodon, he helped redefine modern heavy metal across eight studio albums, including the Grammy-winning Emperor of Sand in 2017. He formed the band in Atlanta in 2000 alongside bassist Troy Sanders, guitarist Bill Kelliher, and drummer Brann Dailor.
Earlier this year, Mastodon and Hinds announced a split, which the band described as mutual. However, just a week before the accident, Hinds publicly stated he had been "kicked out" of the group.
On August 31, Atlanta hosted the "March of Hinds", where hundreds of family, friends, and fans paraded through the city to celebrate his life and music. Mastodon's Brann Dailor described it as "a beautiful day filled with music, laughter, tears, and memories that will stay with us forever."
Brent Hinds leaves behind a towering musical legacy, remembered as both a Southern guitar innovator and a cornerstone of Atlanta's metal identity.
