A WOMAN has appeared in court after she was charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

Demie-Elise Michaud, whose driving is alleged to have caused the death of Matthew Craig Brown on the A590, stood in the dock at South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court.

The 24-year-old spoke only to confirm her name at the short hearing.

The defendant, of Blawith, near Ulverston, is alleged to have caused death by driving her Kia Cee’d dangerously on the A590 on November 27 2019.

District judge John Temperley sent the case to Preston Crown Court, where the defendant is due to appear for a hearing on April 6.

The charge is too serious to be heard at a magistrates’ court.

Mr Brown, from Swarthmoor, was a passenger in a car driving between Backbarrow and Haverthwaite that collided with a bridge on the road.

Police were called to the one-vehicle collision on the bridge at about 1am on the day.

Officers appealed for witnesses to come forward with information following the incident.

The family of Mr Brown said in a statement following his death: “Matthew was a loving son, grandson and brother.

“He was also a very devoted father, stepfather and family man.

“He will be very sadly missed by everyone who knew him.”

Community leaders also reacted with sadness after Mr Brown’s death.

Cllr Sharon Webster, the then mayor of Ulverston, said: “It is devastating that he was so young.

“It is a terrible tragedy.

“My heart goes out to his family.

“I do not know how anyone could cope with that.”

Ulverston councillor Mark Wilson said: “It is a massive shock to the community and family and there is a feeling of sadness in the community.”

Haverthwaite councillor Sue Sanderson said it was a ‘great tragedy’.

An inquest into the death of the 22-year-old was opened and adjourned to allow statements and evidence to be gathered in a hearing in Barrow in December 2019.