The South by South West fatal crash victims’ family and friends have begun providing testimony in the capital murder trial of Rashad Owens.
In March 2014, Owens drove his car into a crowd at the 2014 South by Southwest festival, resulting in four deaths and over twenty injuries.
It’s been confirmed that police have now charged Owens with murder and capital murder, to which he has pleaded not guilty. A guilty verdict could result in life in prison for the 23-year-old. Owens, an aspiring rapper, is a father of six.
Owens was fleeing from a police officer when he plowed his Honda through a crowd, moments after speeding the wrong way down a one way street. He has admitted to drinking beforehand, and has previously been convicted for driving while intoxicated.
An officer on the scene, Michael Hankemeier, said, “I never once saw brake lights.”
Hankemeier also testified that the collision threw a woman into the air nearly as high as overhead utility lines.
A witness and friend of 18-year-old victim DeAndre Tatum struggled through tears to recall her experience.
“I remember coming from the food truck,” said Erica Hall. “We were trying to get something to eat…then I remember waking up on the stretcher.”