A man has denied driving dangerously before a crash which led to the death of a young woman.

A trial date has been set for lorry driver Viorel Sandulache who is charged with causing the death of 21-year-old Abigail Harvey on November 3 last year.

Sandulache, 26, from Croydon, was arrested and charged with causing death by dangerous driving and bailed to appear at Maidstone Crown Court.

The lorry driver pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving but denied causing death by dangerous driving when he appeared at Maidstone Crown Court last Wednesday.

The crash took place on the Dartford Crossing in the early hours of the morning.

Abi Harvey, a former Seevic College student, was driving her silver Audi A1 when it was involved in the crash with the lorry on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge.

She was flown to Royal London Hospital with a serious injury but sadly lost her life three days later.

The court heard Sanulache's guilty plea to careless driving was unlikely to be accepted and a trial date was set for April 1 next year at the same court.

The 26-year-old was granted bail on condition he lives in Basildon until further notice.

In the wake of the crash, the bridge was closed for several hours while investigators examined the scene for forensic evidence.

Friends paid their respects and sent condolences to her family after hearing the tragic news.

Karen Kerridge, headteacher at the Appleton School in Benfleet, where Abi was a former pupil, said: “Abigail Harvey was a delightful student, to have her life cut short is a tragedy. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this time.”

John Lambert, a truck driver from Harlow who tried to help at the scene, said: “Just found out the young girl I tried to save has passed away. I’m so so sorry I couldn’t do more for you. Rest in peace and God bless.”