Bradford Crown Court was told Craig Lee Bergin, now 20, who denies causing death by dangerous driving, swerved his yellow Vauxhall Tigra towards Brighouse student Naomi Gough's car as they drove side-by-side on the Burdock Way flyover, Halifax.

The 19-year-old lost control of her blue Renault Clio, spun around and hit a crash barrier.

Miss Gough was killed instantly and her passenger Rachael Parr, then 21, was injured in the smash at around 11.40pm on January 10, last year. The court heard that minutes before the crash, Bergin, of Shay Lane, Halifax, had challenged Miss Gough to a race.

Witnesses had earlier seen his car – customised with large wheels and a loud engine – being driven "like a bat out of hell".

On the day of her death Miss Gough and best friend Miss Parr had been on a day trip to Blackpool.

James Crosland, prosecuting, said Miss Gough had arranged to meet Bergin that night outside the Acapulco nightclub, Halifax. When Bergin arrived, they set off to Pizza Napolena, Brighouse, in separate cars.

Bergin pulled up alongside Miss Gough's Clio at Orange Street traffic lights.

Mr Crosland said: "Rachael says the defendant was revving his engine, he appeared to challenge the girls, goad the girls, to race."

The court heard Bergin sped off ahead and the two cars met again on the flyover. The Vauxhall was in the nearside lane and the Clio in the outside.

Mr Crosland said: "The defendant deliberately swerved his vehicle towards Miss Gough's car."

Miss Gough steered away, but Miss Parr – fearing they would plummet 20ft from the bypass – grabbed the steering wheel, he said. The car hit a barrier near the slip road for Boothtown.

Mr Crosland said: "Bergin was showing off in his car. Naomi was a girl that he was interested in, who was interested in him.

"It was his tomfoolery that led to the two pieces of basic action that, in turn, led to her death."

• Proceeding

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