Amy Hofmeister crash driver 'was not speeding', a court is told

Amy Hofmeister died in the crash in Taunton on 15 June 2011

A court has been told the driver of one of two cars involved in a fatal crash in Somerset was not speeding.

Amy Hofmeister, 13, died after a Vauxhall Vectra hit a kerb, flipped over and ploughed into her and friend Lucy Hawkins, on 15 June 2011.

Leanne Burnell, 21, told Taunton Crown Court she was not driving above the 30mph limit at the time of the crash, in Blackbrook Way, Taunton.

She has pleaded not guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

Ms Burnell told the jury she was not driving her Ford Focus above 30mph because she was low on fuel and did not have enough money to buy any more.

She also denied that she had been involved in a race with her boyfriend, Leonard Jones, who was driving another car on Blackbrook Way.

Prosecutors have told the court Ms Burnell and Mr Jones were racing at 50mph, at the time of the crash.

Mr Jones has already admitted causing death by dangerous driving and will be sentenced at a later date.

The trial of Ms Burnell continues.