The suspect in a car crash that killed four people at South By Southwest festival last year has pleaded not guilty to capital murder and murder charges.

Rashad Owens made a brief appearance in Travis County District Court yesterday ahead of a final pretrial hearing on October 15.

Police allege Owens was drunk when he accelerated through a closed street in Austin, Texas, killing four people and injuring more than 20 others. He allegedly drove his car through a street barricade after fleeing from police officers attempting a traffic stop.

Owens faces one capital murder count and four murder counts, as well as 24 counts of aggravated assault, and is currently detained in Travis County Jail on bonds totaling $5.5 million.

Last year the families of the victims hit the festival with lawsuits accusing SXSW organisers of safety lapses. [via Billboard]