Friday, December 19, 2014 5:00pm ET by  
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SXSW Festival sued by families of car accident victims

The SXSW Festival has been sued by families of people who died in a car accident at the festival earlier this year.

Tragedy rained down on the Austin, Texas event on March 13 when a car broke through a barrier at the event and killed four people.

23 others were injured and Rashad Charjuan Owens, whose drink-drive level was over the limit, received murder charges as a result. He has remained in jail since.

Several wrongful deaths lawsuits have now been filed against SXSW, with some claiming that the festival didn't safeguard pedestrians enough.

Lawyers for the festival responded with the comment: "What happened on Red River was a terrible tragedy, caused by Rashad Owen's utter disregard of human life.

"Our hearts continue to ache for those injured and the families of those who lost their lives. We look forward to his prosecution for his awful crimes."

A report in September meanwhile stated that this year's SXSW reached a "critical point where public safety could be compromised" as a result of alcohol and overcrowding.

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Watch clips from this year's SXSW below: