Man denies murder charge over fatal A1(M) Barton crash

A man has denied murdering a woman following a two-vehicle crash on the A1(M) in North Yorkshire.

Elena Chiriac, 22, from Newcastle, died when a silver Ford Transit and a silver Volkswagen Golf collided on the southbound carriageway on 4 October in the Barton area, north of Scotch Corner.

Appearing via videolink at Leeds Crown Court, Florin Chiriac, 31, from Newcastle, pleaded not guilty to murder, causing death by dangerous driving and attempted grievous bodily harm.

A trial is due to be held at the same court from 22 March.

A second man, Cristi Chiriac, 25, also from Newcastle, did not enter a plea to a charge of encouraging or assisting the commission of assault offences.

He will next appear at Leeds Crown Court on 11 December.

An inquest hearing into Elena’s death heard she was pronounced dead at the scene, with her provisional cause of death said to be as a result of head injuries.