A MOTORIST has been charged with causing the death of his passenger, a 23-year-old man from Colchester.

Elliot Furniss

A MOTORIST has been charged with causing the death of his passenger, a 23-year-old man from Colchester.

Dean Costello, 30, from Tiptree, has been charged with a number of offences in relation to the death of Ben Stevens, 23, who was killed in a fatal collision last summer.

Costello, of Harvey Road, Colchester, answered bail on Friday and later appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court.

He was charged with causing death by dangerous driving, causing death by driving while uninsured and causing death by driving without due care and attention while unfit through drink.

He was also charged with making a false statement to obtain insurance and was bailed to appear before magistrates in Chelmsford at a later date.

Mr Stevens, of Grantham Road, Great Horkesley, was a passenger in a white Ford Escort being driven by Costello when it was involved in a collision with a silver Vauxhall Corsa on the B1022 Colchester Road at about 10pm on Friday August 22.

Costello suffered serious head, facial and pelvic injuries in the crash and was treated in hospital. Mr Stevens was certified dead at the scene.

The driver of the Corsa, a 45-year-old woman from Fordham Heath, suffered minor injuries.

After his death, Mr Stevens' family issued a statement describing him as a “beloved son, stepson and brother”.

“Ben lived his life to the full,” they said. “He was full of energy and could liven up any room with his presence. Ben was always caring and loving towards his family.”