The state of Tennessee has sent a teenager who was killed by a guardrail in a car accident a bill for its replacement.

It is demanding nearly $3,000 (£2,405) following the crash last November in which Hannah Elmers, 17, drove into the end of the rail after the car left the road.

The rail should have either buckled on impact or deflected the car. Instead, it impaled the car, a Volvo, before hitting the teenager in the head and chest killing her instantly.

A $2,790 bill was sent to Ms Elmers by the state’s department of transportation, USA today reported.

It was intended to cover the cost of labour and materials to replace the 25-feet section of the rail.

Steve Elmers, Hannah’s father, was outraged by both the bill and his conviction that the rail was not safe.

"I’m shocked, the audacity," he said.

"What bothers me is that they’re playing Russian roulette with people's lives. They know these devices do not perform at high speeds and in situations like my daughter’s accident, but they leave them in place."

A spokesman for Tennessee said the bill was sent in error and has apologised to the family.