Members of East Bay band SWMRS seriously injured in Colorado crash
Several members of East Bay rock band SWMRS and its crew were injured—several of them seriously—after the van they were in slid on black ice with the band en-route from the Bay Area to Denver for a show.
Several people in their van were transported to a Wyoming hospital. Three, including guitarist-vocalist Max Becker, photographer Natalie Somekh and sound engineer Josh Berl, were injured.
According to the band’s posts on social media, the collision was caused by the van driving onto black ice and spinning out of control. The band was driving to start a run of shows with Matt & Kim.
“We regret to inform you that last night on the drive from Oakland to Denver, Max, Josh and Natalie encountered black ice on the road, causing them to lose control of the van,” the band’s statement read. “Thankfully, first responders were able to quickly get them to an incredible team of doctors in the intensive care unit at a hospital in Wyoming, and everyone is going to be OK. As a result, we are going to cancel al lot our shows for the rest of 2019 to give them the time they need to recover. Our brother Max is the strongest person in the world. He is our fearless leader. It’s going to be a long road to recovery, but we all know that if anyone can do it, Max can. We love you. Share some love with the people around you, and send all of your positive energy to Max, Josh, and Natalie.”
SWMRS had just played its annual Uncool Halloween concert at The UC Theatre in Berkeley on on Saturday.
The conditions of Becker and the rest of the crew, and more information about the crash, will be updated once those become available.
— SWMRS (@swmrs) October 29, 2019