Full Notification

On March 7, 2015 at approximately 4:44 a.m. the San Luis Obispo Police Department began receiving calls for service related to loud parties in the Hathway Avenue neighborhood of San Luis Obispo. Coordinated through social media, several thousand college-aged young men and women poured into the residential neighborhood. Many of the revelers possessed alcoholic beverages and were wearing green clothing consistent with a pre-St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
San Luis Obispo Police Officers were assisted by Cal Poly University Police Officers in an effort to curtail the growing crowds and unruly behavior. Officers began issuing citations to minors possessing alcoholic beverages and to party hosts for violating the City’s noise ordinance.
At 6:21 a.m., 30-40 party-goers were standing on top of a garage structure located at 364 Hathway Avenue. The roof collapsed under the weight of the people, causing at least eight injuries. There was one moderate injury to a victim who was impaled in the thigh by a piece of wood as the roof collapsed. There were at least seven other victims who were treated for minor injuries.
The San Luis Obispo Fire Department responded three fire paramedic-staffed engines and the Battalion Chief. A mass casualty incident was declared. San Luis Ambulance responded three ambulances and a field supervisor. Cal Fire sent an additional engine and a Battalion Chief to assist with the triaging and treating of multiple victims. Four of the victims were taken by ambulance to area hospitals for treatment. At the time of this news release, other than the initial assessment, the severity of the injuries are undetermined.
The San Luis Obispo Police Department requested assistance from area law enforcement agencies to clear the streets and quell the unruly behavior. The San Luis Obispo Sheriff’s Department, California Highway Patrol, and the Atascadero Police Department assisted the San Luis Obispo and Cal Poly University Police Departments with this effort. Law enforcement officers are currently deployed to the neighborhood. The San Luis Obispo and Cal Poly Police Departments will have additional staffing into the evening to curtail further unruly behavior.
Media Contacts: Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Gater (805) 540-9361, [email protected]
Police Captain Chris Staley (805) 431-7128, [email protected]