According to the Austin-American Statesman, the suspect being held as the driver in the SXSW car crash this year will be facing 20 new charges in relation to the event. So far, there have been four fatalities from the crash on March 13.
The suspect, Rashad Owens, had already been charged with capital murder and a bail set at $3 million. The 20 additional charges that have just been added are for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, which is a second-degree felony. Each count carries a prison sentence of up to 20 years and the bail has been set at $100,000 for each new charge, adding to the original bail.
The crash occurred outside popular venues Cheer Up Charlie’s and The Mohawk during the music portion of the SXSW festival this year. Owens is accused of driving drunk, fleeing from law officers, driving a stolen car, injuring 17 people and killing four others. Two of the fatalities occurred onsite – Steven Craenmehr, 35, of the Netherlands, and Jamie Ranae West, 27, of Austin. Sandy Le, 26, and DeAndre Tatum, 18, both died later of their injuries.