Local Musician In Critical Condition After St. Paul Crash
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Minnesota's music community is holding a vigil, hoping one of their own survives a serious accident.
Pat Mackin, 61, was driving westbound on St. Anthony Avenue in St. Paul early Tuesday morning when he was broadsided by a Jeep traveling southbound on Snelling Avenue. After Mackin's vehicle was hit, it went flying into a concrete barrier.
His sister-in law, Michon Brudenell, says he has serious injuries from the accident and has undergone two surgeries so far. Now his family and friends are praying for his recovery.
Brudenell says her brother in law is fighter. She has not left the side of her sister Jeanine since early Wednesday morning.
"I did see him earlier before the first surgery. He was moving his arms and legs," Brudenell said. "I adore them, and they have this great marriage and they don't have any kids, they just have each other and so I'm just really hoping that continues to be the case," Brudenell said.
The accident happened at about 2:30 a.m. after Mackin had left a show at the Minnesota Music Cafe. He had just played with Jaybee and the Routine, his Tuesday night gig for the past five years. James Brown is the band's leader.
"He had just left the gig we were playing," Brown said. "He's a powerful, soulful sax player, man. And that's what he brings to the band."
Brown says music is Mackin's life. He's played with the best of them, but loves to collaborate with his Minnesota music family, something he's done for close to four decades.
"He sits in the pocket of all the music, doesn't overplay, he puts the right notes in the right places and it just makes the music that much more, I mean, heartfelt," Brown said.
Now their hearts are full of hope and healing for him. Friends are holding a vigil at the Minnesota Music Cafe, while his family is gathered at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. They all share the wish that Mackin, who always has an ear to listen and a heart to help, bounces back.
The driver of the Jeep, 21-year-old Alexandria Clark, was taken to Regions Hospital where she was treated and released.
St. Paul Police say they gave her a blood test at the scene, but it's too early to say if alcohol played a role in the accident.
