Pat Mackin, a professional saxophone player, and important member of the local Minneapolis music community, was critically injured in a car accident earlier this month.
CBS Minnesota reports that the music community is currently holding vigil for Mackin at the Minnesota Music Café.
Mackin has been a professional saxophone player for over 40 years. He plays saxophone for the funk and R&B band, Jaybee and the Routine. He has also performed with many celebrated local Minneapolis bands, and has performed with The Daisy Dillman Band and Mick Sterling and the Stud Brothers. Mackin has been touring the local Minneapolis Jazz scene since 1987, performing with his jazz fusion band, the Northcoast. He also toured Hawaii for a while, during his long and illustrious career.
Mackin suffered two serious injuries in the accident and has undergone three surgeries. The accident took place after Mackin left a show at the Minnesota Music Café at 2:30 a.m. His car was hit by a Jeep traveling southbound. The impact force of the accident caused Mackin’s car to hit a concrete barrier.
Pioneer Press reports that the driver of the Jeep that impacted Mackin’s car had only been out of jail for fewer than 2 days when the accident took place. The driver reportedly had been driving with a revoked license. Earlier in the week, the driver had been arrested for possessing marijuana, for driving with a revoked license, and for speeding. The driver has pled not-guilty to these charges and a court case is pending.
Mackin’s injuries include internal damage, spine fracture, a damaged aorta, and mild to moderate traumatic brain injury.
Mild to moderate traumatic brain injury can affect victim’s vision, and can result in memory loss, sleep problems, loss of balance, and can lead to depression. While Mackin has a long road to recovery ahead, his friends, family, and the music community remain optimistic.
James Brown, the leader of Jaybee and the Routine, told CBS Local that Mackin is “a powerful soulful sax player” who “sits in the pocket of 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.”
Investigators are still looking into the causes of the accident that left Mackin severely injured. Unfortunately, in so many cases, individuals who suffer serious injury are not at fault for the accidents that take place. Families and friends are left to pick up the pieces and strong, contributing members of the community face long recovery periods and potentially, time away from the good work they perform.
The Law Office of Martin T. Montilino understands the unique challenges that victims of personal injury accidents face in Minneapolis, Minnesota. If you or a loved one has suffered as a result of another driver’s neglect or carelessness, your family does not need to suffer in silence. The Law Office of Martin T. Montilino offers a free, no-obligation consultation to personal injury victims and their families in Minneapolis, Minnesota.