Woman, 18, dies in Banbury crash — man, 36, charged with death by dangerous driving

Esme Elizabeth Heaton-Biggs, 18, died after a collision on Bloxham Road, Banbury. Brian McLaren, 36, faces multiple charges including causing death by dangerous driving.

Tributes paid to teenager killed in Oxfordshire collision as man appears in court

Esme Elizabeth Heaton-Biggs, 18, died in hospital after the white VW Polo she was driving collided with a white Mercedes on Bloxham Road, Banbury, at around 9.20pm on Saturday, 3 October. Daily Express reports that the crash has prompted both a family tribute and criminal proceedings.

Her family released a statement through Thames Valley Police describing her as "a funny, kind, stubborn, witty and beautiful human being, on the inside and the outside." The statement continued: "On Sunday the 4th of October the world got suddenly dimmer as one of the brightest and most unique lights left us too soon."

Loved by family and friends alike, Esme leaves behind a mother who will miss her smile, a father who will miss her cheeky temperament, and a brother who, in the family's words, lost his "pink version of himself." Her close friends, the statement added, considered her "their spark" and the glue that held them together.

Brian McLaren, 36, appeared at High Wycombe Magistrates' Court on Monday. He faces five charges: causing death by dangerous driving, causing death by driving whilst disqualified, causing death by due care while over the prescribed limit, driving while disqualified, and driving above the legal alcohol level.

Two further individuals — a 24-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman — were arrested in connection with the incident. Both have since been released on bail pending further inquiries.

Detective Sergeant Lyndsey Blackaby, from Thames Valley Police's serious collision investigation unit, said: "Our thoughts remain with the young woman's family and friends at this devastating time. We are working hard to establish exactly what happened and would urge anyone who witnessed the collision, or has relevant footage, to come forward as a matter of urgency."

Thames Valley Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to contact them on 101 or via the Thames Valley Police website, quoting reference number 43260517700.

Source: Daily Express