Drunk Driver Runs Over Police Officer At Jason Aldean Concert
Another summer weekend mainstream country music concert, and another instance where the situation got out of hand for some.
At the Jason Aldean “Burn It Down” tour stop at the Xfinity Theater in Hartford, CT on Saturday (8-2), 19-year veteran police officer Joseph Fargnoli Jr. was struck by a drunk driver leaving the concert while the officer was pursuing the driver on motorcycle. While the Hartford Police Traffic Division was running traffic for the 21,000 attendees exiting the venue, one concertgoer was observed driving erratically, almost hitting one of the officers directing traffic. After witnessing the incident, Officer Farnoli Jr. pursued the drunk driver on motorcycle and was then struck by the suspect with his vehicle. Farnoli Jr. was transported to Hartford Hospital by ambulance, and was treated and later released.
51-year old David Mascuto was arrested on charges of operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, evading responsibility, and failure to obey and officer’s signal. Bond for Mascuto was set at $25,000.
The statement from the Hartford Police Department:
OFFICER HIT FOLLOWING CONCERT:
Last night following the Jason Aldean concert, the Hartford Police Department Traffic Division was conducting the outbound traffic detail at the Xfinity Theater. Officers spotted a driver driving erratically, nearly striking an officer. A Hartford Police motorcycle officer attempted to stop the vehicle and was struck.
The officer was taken to Hartford Hospital via ambulance, treated and released. The operator was stopped and arrested.
Accused: David Mascuto, 51 of Fairfield CT
1. DUI
2. Evading Responsibility
3. Failure to Obey Officers Signal
$25,000 Bond
The traffic officer was not the only one to take a ride to the hospital Saturday night. A total of 30 concertgoers were taken to local hospitals for medical treatment during the show, including eight individuals under 21. A total of 55 summons were also handed out at the concert for underage drinking. There was also an assault reported during the concert, and one man was arrested in the incident.
Florida Georgia Line and Tyler Farr opened the show for Jason Aldean.
The news out of Hartford comes as stories of country concerts getting out of hand have been in the headlines this summer, including when 55 people were arrested, and 22 taken to hospitals at a Keith Urban show at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, Mass. Later it was also revealed that an alleged rape happened in the venue’s lawn section while as many as 15 people stood and watched and took video of the incident. An annual event in Pittsburgh became a national story when pictures of trash and drunken patrons went viral in late June. And a 22-year-old man was found dead in a dumpster in late July after a Jason Aldean concert in what is thought to be an alcohol-related incident.
August 3, 2014 @ 10:10 pm
This whole trend is ridiculous. I mean, give me a good old barfight out in Lubbock or somewhere any time but this kind of debauchery and douchebaggery is just silly. These people obviously don’t care about the music, just the party. Of course, the music is all about the party too nowadays so what should we expect? That said, I think the Keith Urban incident is a bit of an outlier to the trend and ought to be considered separately. Rather than being a rowdy crowd getting too drunk and bellicose, it was probably a coping method for being stuck listening to the banana bender’s awful music.
August 5, 2014 @ 2:18 am
What’s a banana bender?
August 3, 2014 @ 11:35 pm
At what point does John Lithgow step in and outlaw country mega-concerts as fruits of the Devil?
August 4, 2014 @ 4:35 am
Just as a comparison I wonder what kind of legal troubles happen at the allison Kruass/ willie nelson concerts? I’m sure its a few but I cant see it being this large.
Willie also is more BA than any of these guys and he tends to bring out some “rough” fans at times but heck they are more classy than the bunch that goes to “current country” concerts.
Alan Jacksons 25 year anniversary tour wont have this much trouble.
August 4, 2014 @ 4:47 am
No doubt that there is less trouble at Willie shows and that starts with the average age being a little older and more mature. It seems like so many of these young people today are trying to forcibly create a life moment that they will never forget. They have this grand idea of “greatest night ever” and try to make that happen. You see this same behavior on the Guadalupe and Comal river every weekend. It’s like these kids are trying to create these scenes to show on their Facebook or Instagram that all their friends will talk about for the rest of their lives.
August 4, 2014 @ 10:04 am
That’s because so much of country music refers back to youth as the alpha and omega of a person’s life in nostalgic balladry. Like all their is to life is carefree youth, and afterwards, all you have to look forward to is reflecting back on those memories. What a gloomy outlook on life this must be.
August 4, 2014 @ 5:46 pm
I think what you just said sums it up perfectly.
August 4, 2014 @ 11:06 am
The biggest thing I saw at the Nelson/Krauss/Musgraves concert I went to was people bringing out the stuff.
August 4, 2014 @ 5:10 am
If this was happening at rap concerts, it would be all over the media.
August 4, 2014 @ 5:17 am
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/06/21/shooting-involving-schoolboy-q-at-red-rocks-likely-not-random/11210793/
August 4, 2014 @ 6:25 am
Just a little “Small Town Throwdown” what’s the big deal man? Probably all incidents of “city boys” lookin’ for trouble.
August 4, 2014 @ 6:31 am
OK, admittedly I’m just going off on a tangent now, but I’m really enjoying myself here.
I made a Word Cloud for “Small Town Throwdown.” I find it hilarious:
http://www.tagxedo.com/artful/be218d9e7e894409
August 4, 2014 @ 6:46 am
OK, don’t ask me why I’m wasting so much time here, but here is a Word Cloud for every one of Dallas Davidson’s #1 songs since 2010:
http://www.tagxedo.com/art/2212971db6734f0b
August 4, 2014 @ 6:59 am
This a full fledged trend without a doubt. One of the things that I find interesting and puzling is the geographic component to this trend. As far as I am aware of these incidents have all been north of the mason dixon line, why ? This also seems to be a generational trend. Most of these people involved in this crap seem to be teens to twenty something’s. Perhaps a glaring lack of proper raising is the culprit here? This is all very sad.
August 4, 2014 @ 7:16 am
While the 20 somethings you note contribute to the problem significantly, the drunk driver grabbing the headlines in this instance was 51 years old. Of course 51 year olds aren’t immune from dumb behavior in general, but the influence of the party music and atmosphere doesn’t only affect young people. It’s sad that this is becoming a weekly event, and oftentimes at the same performers’ shows again and again.
August 4, 2014 @ 8:10 am
This is kind of a side affect of country’s fan base becoming focused on young people. Back 20 years ago most country fans were at least 35 years old and were much less interested in getting wasted at a concert. But of course they will be some idiots in their 40s and 50s making bad decisions, too.
As far as the thing about all of this happening up north, I think that’s because there haven’t been any stadium shows or major arena shows down south yet. Aldean’s stadium stops are in Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and Cleveland and Luke Bryan played in Pittsburgh. I’m sure if there were stadium shows in New Orleans or Little Rock there would be some problems as well.
August 4, 2014 @ 9:58 am
That’s a good point. Many tours focus on the north and Northeast during the dead of summer because the weather can be treacherous up there in the fall. The they work their way south where it’s too hot this time of year for many outdoor shows. We’ll see what happens as the year progresses.
August 4, 2014 @ 8:15 am
What fun.
This idiocy passes for entertainment, as does “Party Down South”.
Our culture is circling the drain.
August 4, 2014 @ 9:00 am
So I went to the Jason Aldean/FGL show in Philly on Saturday. Long story short ”“ the ticket was half-price, a bunch of friends were going and I enjoy some of Aldean’s music (The Truth, Fly Over States, Amarillo Sky, etc.). Anyway, I got down there to meet friends around 6:45 ”“ I fully expected the parking lot to be trashed. To my surprise, I only saw one car area that was disgraceful. Now it’s worth noting that I was in only 1 major parking lot out of about 4, so I don’t know what the other ones looked like.
The concert was full of bros and women in “Baby You A Song” t-shirts. I got in there about halfway through FGL’s awful set. I didn’t mind when they played “Dirt”. Aldean played only hit singles ”“ Not a single deep cut. The crowd seemed controlled for the most part. I saw little-to-no overly rowdy behavior. Of course I was only in one small part of the stadium, so I’m not sure exactly how many issues occurred. Overall, my experience was actually much better than I anticipated.
August 4, 2014 @ 10:18 am
I had a similar experience going to see Luke Bryan & Dierks Bentley in Pittsburgh. My wife decided that was what she wanted to do for her birthday & I’ve always been one for live music.
We stayed downtown & took the subway right to Heinz Field. We got off the subway right in front of the entrance gate, so we didn’t even notice the disater that was apparently happening in the parking lot. The people that were sitting close to us were all very nice (especially so, since we came from Baltimore and are sworn enemies with Pittsburgh.) We really only saw one person walking around that could barely function.
Point being, it is possible to go to these shows & not become involved in this sort mess.
As far as the music goes… Dierks Bentley & Lee Brice were both really good. Luke Bryan did manage to be somewhat entertaining. Cole Swindell did not.
August 4, 2014 @ 1:29 pm
I understand but don’t necessarily agree with all of Triggers beat downs of the new country music and the horrible behavior of the concert goers. This argument is not as valid. The guy is 51 years old. 51. He is not some youthful dumbass. This guy should know better. I don’t think bro country is to blame as much as it is some older idiot attending a bro country concert.
August 5, 2014 @ 4:02 pm
“Swervin’ like George Jones”, indeed.
August 6, 2014 @ 6:34 am
Jayna Lininger is a up-and-coming country artist campaigning against drunk driving. Check her out: http://jaynalininger.com/
August 6, 2014 @ 10:19 am
It’s such a shame to see this type of thing weighing on our lives, it can all be avoided.
There’s a country singer named, Jayna Lininger, who is the national spokesperson for the 12 Pack of Life project which is aimed at using music as a vessel to deliver a strong message about drunk driving awareness.
There’s ways you can help save lives and protect our youth! Go over to her facebook page or her website to find out more!
http://www.jaynalininger.com
https://www.facebook.com/JaynaLiningerMusic
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWazV_JqBA4aa-cSPKq6ulw
https://www.facebook.com/12packoflife