Man Recounts Being Drugged While Bar-Hopping on Sixth Street
In Austin, Texas a Premeditated Act of Violence Occurs
In what appears to be a ruthless and premeditated act of violence, a Boston man has spoken out about an incident in which he was allegedly drugged during a night out on Sixth Street in downtown Austin, Texas. Jeff Jones, 38, a resident of Boston reported that he was visiting Austin to attend a bachelor party in June 2023.
Night Starts Out Normally Before Tragedy Strikes
The eventful night began on Thursday, June 22, where Jones, along with some friends, had dinner. Afterward, the group decided to go bar-hopping on West Sixth Street. “I hadn’t felt strange at all. I hadn’t been drinking heavily,” said Jones. However, the friends’ fun-filled night took a nasty turn when Jones mysteriously disappeared around 1 a.m. His friends reported him missing after they noticed he was no longer at the bar where they were hanging out.
Unconscious Under a Bridge
Three hours after disappearing, local authorities found Jones unconscious under a bridge near Shoal Creek. He was discovered in a ravine next to Sixth Street Bridge, “It’s a three- or four-foot-wide old stone bridge. So for me to have somehow fallen over, it would have been almost impossible. I would have been there, have had to have been pushed out or, you know, been climbing on it by myself,” explained Jones. Though he was conscious when authorities found him, Jones said he could not remember anything about the incident.
Severe Injuries and Tests Reveal Cruel Reality
Upon reaching the hospital, doctors determined that Jones had sustained severe injuries. He had broken multiple vertebrae, his left scapula, and two ribs. In addition, Jones had a puncture wound through his elbow. Medical staff rushed Jones to Dell Seton Medical Center, where further tests revealed traces of benzodiazepines, a family of drugs that includes the date-rape drug Rohypnol, in his system. “There’s no reason why I would have had that in my system,” said Jones. “I was having drinks and very easily could have gotten drugged by someone.”
Recovery, Healing, and Rising Above
Following the medical emergency, Jones underwent back surgery where doctors inserted metal rods to aid his recovery. He also had his spleen removed due to damage, and hemorrhaging in his kidneys, liver, and lungs. Given the severity of his injuries, doctors induced a coma to increase his chances of recovery. He woke up a week later and spent a month on the road to recovery at his sister’s house in New Hampshire.
A Warning to Others
Despite the trauma he experienced, Jones urges people to be cautious, especially when out in public places. His experience is not an isolated one. He counts himself lucky as in recent times, there have been cases of others being drugged, some missing, and bodies being found in Lady Bird Lake.
Return to Normality
Nearly a year later, Jones continues his occupational therapy, and is awaiting the removal of his implanted rods. However, his spirits remain undeterred – he is looking forward to participating in a five-mile race this weekend.
City Initiatives for Safer Nights Out
Following cases like Jones’, the city of Austin has implemented the Safer 6th St Initiative, installing lights and cameras on and around Rainey Street, as well as the Sip Safely program to raise awareness about drink spiking. Despite his traumatizing experience, Jones reports that he isn’t opposed to returning to Austin in the future.
