Police officer cleared of high-speed chase death

POLICE officer burst into tears as he was cleared of killing a motorist during a high-speed pursuit of another driver.

- CLAIRE HAYHURST AND ROD MINCHIN

Matthew Pike, 40, pictured right, was following a white Volkswagen Tiguan driven by Lewis Griffin through Bristol city centre shortly before midnight on November 4, 2021.

Bristol Crown Court heard Pc Pike reached speeds of up to 93mph in his unmarked BMW police car as he followed Griffin.

The pursuit ended when Griffin's car collided with a Honda Jazz being driven by Keryl Johnson, 35.

Dr Johnson was badly injured in the crash at Newfoundland Circus and died several days later in hospital.

Griffin, 23, was jailed in February 2024 for eight years after admitting causing death by dangerous driving.

He was also banned from driving for 10 years. Pc Pike was later charged with causing death by dangerous driving, and an alternative charge of causing death by careless driving.

Following legal submissions from Ray Tully KC, representing Pc Pike, Judge Edward Burgess KC ruled the prosecution had not proven its case and ordered the jury to find the defendant not guilty of all charges.