A TEENAGE girl has appeared before magistrates charged with causing the death of a friend in a road crash in East Lancashire.

Kayleigh Ann Goodwin, 18, appeared before Rossendale magistrates accused of causing the death of Craig Cronshaw by dangerous driving on December 9 last year on Booth Road, Stackstead.

Goodwin, of Rockcliffe Villas, Bacup, was also accused of driving the vehicle involved in the allegation, a Y-registration Citroen Saxo, without having insurance.

She was originally scheduled to appear before Rossendale Youth Court, as the allegation relates to when she was aged 17.

But the magistrates instead sat as an adult court, for the three-minute hearing, because Goodwin was now 18.

She spoke only to confirm her name, address and that she understood the charges before the court.

Magistrates heard that the death by dangerous driving charge could only be heard at a crown court.

Prosecutor Sophie Lorimer asked for the case to be remitted to Burnley Crown Court until September 29 and magistrates remanded her on unconditional bail.

Ben Leach, defending, said there was no indication as to what pleas will be entered at this stage of the proceedings.

Craig Cronshaw, who was known as Craig Hepple until the age of 14, of Heathbourne Road, Stacksteads, died after the Saxo car he was travelling in hit a stone wall, 200 metres west of the junction with Fearns Moss.

The teenager, who grew up in Darwen and was a keen footballer, was taken to Fairfield Hospital but later died from his injuries.

Passenger Ruth Bailey, then aged 17, of Woodgrove Drive, Burnley, also broke both her legs in the same collision.