A MAN has appeared in court charged with causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving following a head-on smash on the A133.

Conor Samson, 21, was driving a Fiat 500 towards Colchester when he was involved in a crash with a Vauxhall Agila, which then collided with a Hyundai Getz.

The Vauxhall driver, Paul Stevens, was flown to the Royal London Hospital for treatment after the incident but sadly died shortly afterwards.

His passenger suffered life-threatening injuries.

The crash happened close to the Bentley Road bridge, on Saturday, February 20 at 7.45am.

There has been seven fatal crashes on the stretch of road within the past 12 months, and highways bosses have launched a bid to cut the speed along the A133 from 60mph to 50mph for a year-long trial to try to reduce the number of accidents on the road.

Samson, of Geranium Close, Clacton, was not asked to enter a plea when he appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

He will appear at Chelmsford Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing on January 4, and it was indicated he would deny the charges claiming he was not driving in a dangerous manner.

Mr Stevens, 49, of Elmstead Market, was described as a “truly wonderful man” and a loving husband, father, son and brother in a tribute from his family shortly after he died.