A German tourist appeared sombre and dejected when he appeared in court charged with dangerous driving following the death of a Canterbury woman.

Daniel Muller has appeared in the Christchurch District Court where he's pleaded guilty to a charge of careless use causing death.

A witnesses reported the 26 year old ran through a stop sign on Monday, colliding with Stephanie Ellis' car.

The 54 year old was cut free but died at the scene.

Muller will be sentenced next month.