Man denies causing death of girls killed in crash
Sylvie Bates, left, and Martha Swift, right, died two days after they were hurt in the crash
- Published
A man has denied causing the death of two teenage girls who were killed in a crash.
Sylvie Bates and Martha Swift, both 16, died after they were hit by a van on Lichfield Road in Whittington, Staffordshire, at about 22:25 BST on 29 May 2023.
Michael Riley, 29, from Lichfield, pleaded not guilty to two counts of causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving at Stafford Crown Court on Friday.
A trial date was set in the hearing, to begin at the same court on 30 November 2026.
Both girls, from Lichfield, were taken to hospital after suffering serious injuries in the crash, Staffordshire Police said.
Ms Bates died on 31 May 2023 and Ms Swift two days later on 2 June.
In a joint tribute at the time, the families said they were "devastated" by the loss of their "beautiful and loving daughters and sisters".
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