A 49-YEAR-OLD Ipswich motorist was today due to appear before magistrates to face charges relating to the death of an elderly Suffolk man.Maria Freire, of Reading Road, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving following a two-car smash in Ipswich, at about 3.

A 49-YEAR-OLD Ipswich motorist was today due to appear before magistrates to face charges relating to the death of an elderly Suffolk man.

Maria Freire, of Reading Road, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving following a two-car smash in Ipswich, at about 3.40pm on February 22.

Cyril Friend, of Great Finborough, died following the accident, which happened at the junction of Valley Road and Henley Road.

The 89-year-old was travelling in the front passenger seat of a BMW 3 series car when it was in collision with a Volkswagen Polo car.

The road was blocked following the collision and diversions were put in place.

The BMW was being driven by a 53-year-old woman from Kent. An 83-year-old woman, from Great Finborough, was travelling in the rear passenger seat alongside a 60-year-old woman from Ipswich.

A 41-year-old woman from Ipswich was travelling in the Polo car.

Four people, including Mr Friend, were trapped in the wreckage of the crash and had to be treated for their injuries at Ipswich Hospital.

Although Mr Friend's injuries were not initially thought to be serious, he died from his injuries two weeks later.

Mrs Freire was arrested following the accident and has now been charged after answering bail at Ipswich police station.

Today's hearing at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court was the time the case has been before the courts. The defendant has yet to enter a plea.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk police today confirmed the defendant would be appearing before magistrates after charges were laid against her.