Death-crash driver 'cannot remember'

A MOTORIST accused of causing the death of a schoolgirl when he lost control of his car told a jury yesterday he could not remember the collision.

By The Newsroom

Published 15th Apr 2010, 11:15 BST

Updated 15th Apr 2010, 11:16 BST

Ryan Williams, 21, said he had not been feeling well before he set off to work. He recollected driving in Britannia Road, Morley but not being in the accident.

He told Leeds Crown Court he had no memory of being in the road afterwards and the next thing he knew was being in hospital with a head injury.

Williams, of Ledbury Grove, Middleton, Leeds, has admitted causing the death of Hannah Derrick, 12, by careless driving but denies causing death by dangerous driving on June 15 last year.

The prosecution claim he tried to overtake a lorry in an impossible manoeuvre as the road narrowed to become a single carriageway, lost control and mounted the pavement striking Hannah who was on her way to Morley High School.

A pedestrian Karl Burkinshaw told the jury earlier in the trial it looked as though two cars might have been racing each other.

The trial continues.