Pulp Fiction screenwriter Roger Avary has been charged with vehicular manslaughter in connection with a fatal car crash earlier this year.

Avary, 42, faced prosecutors at a Ventura County, California courthouse on Friday to face charges of gross vehicular manslaughter for his part in the horrific car smash in January, which left his passenger Andreas Zini dead. Avary's wife, was also injured in the accident, but made a full recovery. Avary pleaded not guilty to manslaughter.

As well as the manslaughter charge, the writer faces two felony counts of causing bodily injury while intoxicated. If found guilty he could face up to 11 years behind bars. A pre-trial conference is set for February 20th in Ventura.

Avary won an Oscar, along with Quentin Tarantino, for his work on 1994 cult movie Pulp Fiction. He was also a co-writer on last year's animated epic Beowulf.

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)