A lorry driver has admitted causing the death of a young woman on the Dartford Crossing by careless driving.

But Viorel Sandulache is likely to stand trial next year on the more serious charge of causing death by dangerous driving, the maximum sentence for which is 14 years imprisonment.

Abigail Harvey suffered fatal injuries when her Audi A1 car was struck by the 26-year-old Romanian’s Iveco Stralus heavy duty truck on the A282 crossing on November 3 last year.

The 21-year-old, from Langdon Hills, Basildon, Essex, was flown to King’s College Hospital in London by air ambulance, but died three days later.

Prosecutor Danny Moore was given 14 days to consider the pleas, but he told Judge Julian Smith at Maidstone Crown Court it was “highly unlikely” they would be accepted.

He said CCTV footage and recordings from the lorry cab would be played to the jury if the trial goes ahead on April 1 next year.

The prosecutor added members of Miss Harvey’s family and Sandulache’s wife and his brother were in court for the brief hearing.

Sandulache was granted bail, conditional on residence in Bradley Avenue, Grays, Essex.

Chloe Harvey paid tribute to her “beautiful sister” Abi and started a fundraising drive on You Caring to raise £5,000 for Kings College Hospital Critical Care Unit.

She wrote on the page: “We can’t thank the air ambulance, the doctors and nurses at Kings College Hospital and everyone that knew and sent their best wishes enough.

“This has been the toughest time in my life that I’ve ever had.

"If anyone wishes to donate to the Kings College Hospital Critical Care Unit, please do.”

Another tribute called her “a bright and caring young lady taken away far too early”.