Mastodon guitarist Brent Hinds dies in Atlanta Harley crash

Brent Hinds, the 51 year old guitarist and cofounder of heavy metal band Mastodon, died after his Harley Davidson collided with a BMW SUV at an Atlanta intersection late on Wednesday, August 20, officials said. Atlanta police responded to the crash at Memorial Drive SE and Boulevard SE at about 11:35 p.m. and found Hinds unresponsive; emergency workers pronounced him dead at the scene, the police report says. The driver of the SUV remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators.

A Fulton County medical examiner later ruled Hinds death an accident and said he died of multiple blunt force injuries related to the collision. Local authorities have not announced any criminal charges.

Mastodon confirmed Hinds death in an emotional statement posted to social media, saying the band was "in a state of unfathomable sadness and grief" and asking for privacy for Hinds family, friends and fans. The group paid public tribute at their Aug. 22 concert at the Alaska State Fair, where drummer and vocalist Brann Dailor told the crowd, "We lost somebody very special to us yesterday," and said the band would continue to play the music Hinds helped create. Guitarist Bill Kelliher posted on...