Learner driver denies racing along Stourbridge road moments before crash that killed Nadine Foster

Joseph Chance recalled the moment he looked in his Renault Clio's rear view mirror and spotted his friend's Ford Focus 'skid' before crashing on the dark, wet morning.

Former Dudley College student Nadine Foster, who was a front seat passenger in Dylan Stringer's Ford Focus, was left with serious injuries and later died.

Wearing an untucked grey shirt, trousers and black tie, Chance took the stand at Wolverhampton Crown Court to claim he did not cause Stringer's car to hurtle into the wall.

He told a jury of seven men and five women the pair were not racing each other along Oldswinford's Hagley Road but accepted they were 'just speeding' on their journeys home.

The defendant described being left shocked after seeing the overturned car following the crash and rushed to the scene, trying to unsuccessfully push the vehicle back upright.

He went on to confess he became 'aggressive' when passers-by filmed the scenes of the smash as he tried to help injured 18-year-old mother Miss Foster.

Giving evidence on Thursday, Chance admitted he was 'being immature' when he flouted the road's speed limit but maintained the men had not planned to race each other.

He added: "I helped get her out of the car. I took my own top off and put it over her to cover her up."

The prosecution allege Chance contributed to Miss Foster’s death as both men should have realised driving at speeds reaching almost 80mph could have led to the fatal smash.

During cross-examination, prosecutor Mr Paul Spratt put it to the 25-year-old defendant that he encouraged Stringer to speed along the road.

Chance, who accepted Stringer was 'mirroring' his driving but denied he influenced his co-defendant, said: "I did not make him follow me. He has got his own mind."

During the trial, jurors were told the men were with Miss Foster and another woman at Stourbridge's Chicago Rock Cafe, where they had been drinking, before leaving in the early hours of the morning.

Miss Foster, who also studied at Stourbridge’s Pedmore Technology College, died in hospital 10 days after the April 16 crash.

The court was told Stringer, of Wychbury Road, Stourbridge, previously admitted causing the death of Miss Foster by driving dangerously.

Chance, of Murcroft Avenue, admitted dangerous driving at an earlier hearing but denies causing death by dangerous driving.

The trial continues.