Craig Bergin said he did not cause the crash in which Naomi Gough, 19, died on January 10, 2007.

He said he had not been showing off, had not tried to goad Miss Gough into a race and had not swerved his yellow Vauxhall Tigra towards her car.

He told Bradford Crown Court he thought Miss Gough's passenger, Rachael Parr, then 21, was lying about what happened because she felt guilty about the accident.

Miss Gough and Bergin had known each other for about two weeks and had arranged to meet outside the Acapulco nightclub in Waterhouse Street, Halifax.

The two girls drove off towards Brighouse to get a pizza, with Miss Gough going ahead of Bergin.

At the Orange Street roundabout in Halifax, Bergin pulled up along side her. He pulled away from the lights first, and saw her coming up behind him in his rear-view mirror as he was halfway down Burdock Way.

Bergin estimated his speed at about 35-40mph and Miss Gough's as about 45mph.

He said Miss Gough and Miss Parr made hand gestures when the cars were alongside.

He continued: "Naomi's car came on the right side of mine and all of a sudden just drifted back and I saw her car go across the road.

"My initial thought was she was turning down the Boothtown exit. We heard a bump." His passenger saw brake lights and they looped back round and came upon the crash site.

Miss Gough's blue Renault Clio had hit a crash barrier, killing her instantly.

Bergin, 20, of Shay Lane, Halifax, denies causing death by dangerous driving.

Ben Crosland, prosecuting, asked: "Why would Rachael tell untruths to the jury?" Bergin replied: "To cover the guilt, that she was responsible for the accident."

He said he would not have raced Miss Gough because he did not know where they were going in Brighouse.

He also denied showing off, challenging anyone to a race or trying to "put the wind up" other acquaintances by driving his car at them.

The jury heard his car had been modified with an air filter to increase the engine sound, alloy wheels and flashing sidelights.

• Proceeding