The unexpected and shocking death of Brent Hinds shook the metal world to its very core. The guitarist and co-founding member of Mastodon was involved in a fatal motorcycle crash in Atlanta, Georgia, on the night of Aug. 20, with early reports claiming that a BMW SUV allegedly failed to yield to Hinds at an intersection.
On Sept. 4, the Atlanta Police Department shared its findings after investigating the incident. According to the report, the authorities have determined that the 51-year-old Hinds was at fault for the crash that killed him.
Brent Hinds of Mastodon performs during the VII Mexico Metal Fest at Parque Fundidora on November 10, 2023Photo by Medios y Media/Getty Images
“After conducting time distance calculations of the Motorcycle and assessing the changes in velocity of the BMW, it was deemed that Hinds was traveling between 63 and 68 mph,” reads the summary, per Atlanta News First. “Video of the intersection was used for the calculations. The video clearly depicts the crash. Hinds was at fault for the crash.”
Hinds’ speed at the time was reportedly twice the speed limit at the crash site near the intersection of Memorial Drive and Boulevard. Investigators used traffic camera footage to determine his speed, and two witnesses told the police that Hinds was “driving fast.”
The police’s preliminary report claimed that the driver of the SUV, a 22-year-old, failed to yield while making a left turn. According to Atlanta News First, this new report “included seemingly conflicting statements from the SUV driver and one of the witnesses, which cast doubt on whether the driver had the green light when she turned left from Memorial to Boulevard.”
The police stated that the driver “was positive” that the light was green. But a witness, “told police the light was red ‘when he looked to the light when everything happened.'”
Brent Hinds, Troy Sanders, Brann Dailor and Bill Kelliher of MastodonPhoto by: Lloyd Bishop/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
Hinds co-founded Mastodon alongside Brann Dailor, Troy Sanders, and Bill Kelliher in 2000. The Grammy Award-winning group would go on to release eight albums together before Hinds’ exit earlier in 2025. Mastodon said the split was mutual, but a week before his death, Hinds claimed he was fired while insulting his former bandmates.
However, Mastodon—in both the band’s statement and in the individual member’s own postings—spoke fondly of Hinds after his death. On Aug. 31, they organized the “March of Hinds,” where hundreds of family, friends, and fans paraded through Atlanta in celebration of Brent’s life and legacy.
This story was originally reported by Parade on Sep 5, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.