A STOURBRIDGE learner driver who had been drinking was racing another car at speed when that vehicle ploughed into a wall killing a teenaged mum, a jury has been told.

The actions of Joseph Chance played a part in the death of 18-year-old Nadine Foster, who was a front seat passenger in a Ford Focus with Dylan Stringer behind the wheel, alleged Paul Spratt, prosecuting, at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

He maintained if 25-year-old Chance had not been driving dangerously the April 2016 crash that killed Miss Foster (pictured below) in Hagley Road, Oldswinford, would not have happened.

Stourbridge News:

Mr Spratt told the court there were just two seconds between the Renault Clio being driven by Chance and the Focus as the cars hit nearly 80mph.

The two vehicles were being driven in the same manner, they were both being driven at high speed and both overtook another vehicle, he told the court.

Mr Spratt told the jury: "You may ultimately come to the conclusion that they were racing.

"It is the prosecution case that although Chance was not involved in the collision his actions were equally responsible for the death of Miss Foster."

He said Chance was with another young woman while Stringer had been accompanied by Miss Foster when they were drinking in the Chicago Rock Cafe bar in Stourbridge.

When they left they were heading in the same direction towards Miss Foster's Stourbridge home and the two drivers both exceeded the speed limit on Hagley Road.

Stringer, of Wychbury Road, Stourbridge, had already pleaded guilty to a charge of causing the death of Miss Foster by driving dangerously, added Mr Spratt.

He said Chance, of Murcroft Avenue, had admitted his driving was dangerous but he had denied causing her death by dangerous driving.

The manner in which he was driving contributed to her death, claimed Mr Spratt, and both drivers should have realised their actions could possibly have resulted in a fatal accident He said Chance was a learner driver, the Clio was not displaying L plates and tests later proved he had been drinking.

He added: "It is the prosecution case the because he was driving in the way he did his driving was a cause of the accident."

Miss Foster sustained serious injuries when the Focus hit the wall and she died in hospital days later.

She was a former student of Dudley College and Stourbridge's Pedmore Technology College and her family said afterwards they had been devastated by the loss of a "loving mother, daughter and grand-daughter".

The trial of Chance continues and is expected to conclude at the end of the week.