It was the worst possible outcome.

Sunday night, after the New England Patriots 32-29 victory over the Carolina Panthers, chaos ensued on the streets surrounding Northeastern, and an alleged drunk driver plowed into a group of bystanders, killing one and injuring three others.

Although the driver, Stanley Filoma, 24, of Mattapan, was not a Northeastern student, the university has been cast in a negative light, partly from media attention, but partly because of the meager police presence. Regardless of where the blame may lie, one young man, James D. Grabowski, is dead.

Tragedy is tragedy, and some would prefer to leave it at that. But, that is not the case here. There is accountability, and it lies in several places.

Perhaps the most glaring failure lies with those who were not there. Around 11:30 p.m. Sunday night, there were approximately 10 Northeastern police officers lined up in front of Speare Hall. Some were directing cars, some were making way for ambulances. At that time, none were getting the students off the streets. As the night progressed, a number of Boston and Northeastern Police officers responded to the corner of Hemenway Street and Westland Avenue, clubs in hand and riot helmets in place, and they waited.

They waited too long.

What happened to your promises, Northeastern? Your threats? Nobody took charge of the situation until it was far too late. Had proper and more effective caution been taken, perhaps Grabowski would have celebrated longer.

And the spectators, what were you thinking? Is flipping over cars, climbing trees, throwing beer bottles from roof tops and lighting off fireworks into the crowd, the best way to celebrate the Pats second Super Bowl in three years? It was the air of disorder you caused that led the utter destruction of the Hemenway/Symphony area. It is embarrassing and senseless.

Of course, not everyone in the area was guilty of acting disorderly. But, there were no innocent bystanders. The air after the victory was thick with anticipation. When will the first car flip? Some booed when the first of three cars tipped, but many cheered, and too many watched on, silently approving these lawless acts. The people who perpetrated these crimes did so because they had a willing audience.

After the first car was overturned, the police should have stepped in, but instead it was after the sixth was flipped that action was taken — almost two hours after the chaos began.

Six cars were flipped, many more had their windows smashed and doors kicked in and keyed. Side view mirrors scattered the empty street Monday morning after the mayhem ceased.

Thousands of people rushed Kenmore Square and the Allston/Brighton area, but because of the three NU students that were arrested and charged, Northeastern has now been deemed the epicenter of destruction.

Something told everyone at this school that this was a possibility. Well, the possibility became a painful reality, and many must shoulder the blame.