Man denies causing death
WOMAN PASSENGER DIED AFTER CRASH
A DRIVER has denied killing one woman and seriously injuring another in a crash on Newcastle’s Central Motorway.
Richard Elmore is alleged to have caused the death of his passenger, 24-year-old Demi Burke, by dangerous driving on February 6 this year.
The 27-year-old is accused of crashing his Peugeot 207 on the southbound carriageway, near the Claremont Road junction, at around 11am.
Demi, of Middle Street, Walker, was taken to Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary but later died.
Another passenger in the vehicle, Colleen Main, suffered life-threatening injuries but survived.
At Newcastle Crown Court, Elmore, of Collingwood Street, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, pleaded not guilty causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Judge Paul Sloan QC extended his bail and told him to return to court later this year for a further pre-trial hearing.
The judge added: “If you have committed any offence or offences arising out of these allegations, the sooner that’s communicated to the court, the better. The longer you leave it the worse it will be for you.”
After the crash on February 6, police closed the road for four hours.
The North East Ambulance Service confirmed three ambulances, four hazardous area response teams and a senior paramedic were sent to the scene before Demi, Ms Main and Elmore were taken to hospital.