A MAN accused of causing the death of a popular 17-year-old in a horror crash will face a trial next year.
Former Thomas Lord Audley student Alliyah Bell died in hospital 11 days after being involved in a serious incident with a car.
The Monkwick resident was walking in Hythe Hill, Colchester, at about 2.15am on August 29, 2021, when she was seriously injured.
Police and paramedics were called to the scene near Challenge Way to reports a pedestrian had been hit by a Ford Kuga.
Alliyah was transferred to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge but tragically died from her injuries on September 9.
Daniel Chappell, of Prince Philip Road, Colchester, was charged with causing her death by careless driving in July this year.
The 36-year-old appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court today and denied the offence.
Judge Tim Godfrey fixed a trial date for September 16 next year, estimating it will take five days.
Following the incident, Alliyah’s sister-in-law Megan Smith set up a fundraising page to raise money to support her parents Jo and Kirk.
Kind-hearted supporters donated £5,000 which went towards giving the much-loved teenager the “best send off”.
Miss Smith said on the page: “Fly high gorgeous girl, you will be deeply, deeply missed by so many.”
Speaking to the Gazette before Alliyah’s death, Miss Smith said her friend was popular with everyone who knew her.
“She and her family are the nicest people I have ever met and they do not deserve this,” she said.
The 17-year-old was due to start a beauty course at college in September 2021 before the crash.
Following her death, dozens of floral tributes to Alliyah were laid on Hythe Hill from family, friends and those touched by the tragedy.
This morning, Chappell was warned he must attend court when his trial is due to take place.
Judge Godfrey said: “If you don’t attend the trial it could go ahead without you which is unlikely to bei n your interests.”
The defendant was bailed until his next court appearance.
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