A Mount Pearl man has pleaded not guilty to causing a horrific highway crash that claimed the lives of two young women.

Seventy-one-year-old Austin Deir faces four counts — two each of impaired driving causing death and dangerous driving causing death.

The head-on collision occurred on the afternoon of January 21st near Arnold’s Cove, and took the lives two close friends: Haley Keating and Erin Pretty. They were both 22 years old.

Pretty died at the scene while Keating passed away from her injuries a week later. Deir was pulled from his burning SUV with serious injuries and, according to police, showed signs of impairment.

He was charged on July 18th after results from an analysis of his blood were received by RCMP. Then in September, the charges were amended to include impairment by drug, alcohol or a combination of both.

Deir was not in the Clarenville courtroom for this afternoon’s hearing, but was not required to be, with his lawyer, Rosellen Sullivan, appearing on his behalf by telephone from St. John’s.

He remains free on conditions as the tragic case continues to work its way through the courts.

Deir has chosen to be tried by judge alone in Supreme Court, triggering a preliminary inquiry.

That’s set for mid-April of next year, after which a judge will decide if there’s enough evidence to proceed to trial.