A man who has been charged with driving offences following the death of his 19-year-old passenger has had his case referred to the crown court.  

Levi Baxter was allegedly driving a vehicle involved in a collision that led to the death of his passenger Benjamin Bland. 

The incident happened just before 10am on October 25 at West End, Wilburton.

Mr Bland died two days later on October 27 surrounded by family at Addenbrooke’s Hospital.  

Baxter, 21, of Cunningham Close, was remanded in custody and appeared at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court on November 1.  

He has been charged with causing death by driving whilst disqualified, causing death by driving a vehicle whilst unlicensed or uninsured, using of a motor vehicle without third party insurance and driving whilst disqualified.  

The court service says Baxter is currently indicating a plea of not guilty or none on all of the charges.  

He is next due to appear at Cambridge Crown Court on November 29 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.  

In the meantime, an inquest was opened into the death of Mr Bland today (November 7) at Lawrence Court, Huntingdon.  

Ben Bland, 19, died after the collision in Wilburton.Ben Bland, 19, died in Addenbrooke's Hospital after the collision in Wilburton. (Image: Bland Family) Caroline Jones, an area coroner for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, opened and adjourned the case for a date to be fixed in due course.  

At the brief hearing, she said: “At the present time, a police investigation is continuing into the circumstances of the road traffic collision. 

"Therefore has no date has been set at this stage and the matter has been suspended pending the outcome of a possible prosecution or investigation.  

“The matter in due course will be listed before me... I extend my condolences of course to the family of Mr Bland.” 

Following his death, Mr Bland’s mother issued a loving tribute to her “baby boy” via Cambridgeshire Police. 

She said: “Ben will be missed by everyone that knew him. Our family will never be the same without Ben. We will always love you.”