Eric Fultz, the 19-year-old DeKalb man charged with killing his friend in a one-car accident last November, pleaded not guilty Wednesday.

Fultz was driving east in the 400 block of Hillcrest Drive early on Nov. 16 when he is said to have lost control of his vehicle, jumped the curb and struck a tree.

The passenger, Stephen Boston, 20, also of DeKalb, was pronounced dead less than an hour later at Kishwaukee Community Hospital. At the time of the accident, Boston was not wearing a seat belt, police said. Fultz escaped with minor injuries.

Fultz initially was charged with driving under the influence, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, improper lane use and reckless homicide.

Last week, a grand jury indicted Fultz on four counts of reckless homicide. On Wednesday, he pleaded not guilty to charges.

Fultz’s next court date has been set for Feb. 11, said Clint Hull, DeKalb County first assistant state’s attorney. He currently is free on $30,000 bail.

If convicted, he could face up to 14 years in prison and fines totaling $25,000.

A case like this could run from about seven months to two years, Hull said.