Cumbrian lorry driver denies causing crash death
A 54-year-old Cumbrian lorry driver has appeared in court accused of causing the death of a former RAF officer who had served in Kosovo and Iraq.
Michelle Jurd was driving her two young daughters when she was involved in a collision with an articulated lorry on the A590 near Kendal in November 2009.
The 41-year-old, from Grange-over-Sands, later died in hospital.
David Taylor, of Foulshaw Lane, Levens, denied causing death by dangerous driving at Carlisle Crown Court.
Mrs Jurd died after the Citroen car she was driving was in collision with Mr Taylor's articulated lorry at Gilpin Bridge, Levens, near Kendal, on 12 November 2009.
During her career in the RAF she was the first female officer to qualify as a navigator on Puma aircraft, and rose to the rank of squadron leader.
In Iraq she led an operation into enemy territory during a sandstorm to recover soldiers likely to be overrun by the enemy.
Mr Taylor was remanded on bail for trial in September.